I. ˈkwibəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably diminutive of obsolete quib quibble, perhaps from Latin quibus, dative & abl. plural of qui who, which (often used in legal documents) — more at who
1. archaic : pun
2.
a.
(1) : something (as a line of reasoning adopted, an objection made, a distinction drawn, a point advanced) that evades, shifts from, or obscures the real point at issue in some discussion or argument by reason of centering on what is relatively unimportant and often petty or totally irrelevant and that is marked typically by hedging or equivocation
produces more quibbles and qualifications than it does direct answers — S.L.Payne
(2) : a minor objection or piece of criticism arising typically from an exaggerated tendency to find fault
had a few quibbles about the quality of the performance
b. : argumentation, protestation, or criticism marked by or consisting of quibbles
in discussing this situation there is no room for quibble — W.H.Camp
a procedure that is open to quibble
II. verb
( quibbled ; quibbled ; quibbling -b(ə)liŋ ; quibbles )
intransitive verb
1. archaic : pun
2.
a.
(1) : to make use of, indulge in, or resort to quibbles
had no desire to quibble when decisive action was called for
(2) : to object to something or criticize something on minor grounds that typically reflect an exaggerated tendency to find fault : cavil , carp
was a peevish critic, always ready to quibble
b. : to indulge in argumentation, protestation, or criticism marked by or consisting of quibbles : bicker
the usual quibbling over what should be included in the humanities — W.H.Whyte
transitive verb
: to subject to quibbles
aren't inclined to quibble the point — S.E.Hyman