cavil : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: cavil	by the DICT Development Group
5 results for cavil
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
cavil n an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections Synonym(s): quibble, quiddity, cavil v raise trivial objections Synonym(s): cavil, carp, chicane
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Kevel \Kev"el\, n. [Prov. E. kevil, cavel, rod, pole, a large hammer, horse's bit; cf. Icel. kefli cylinder, a stick, mangle, and Dan. kievle a roller.] 1. (Naut.) A strong cleat to which large ropes are belayed. 2. A stone mason's hammer. [Written also {cavil}.] {Kevel head} (Naut.), a projecting end of a timber, used as a kevel.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cavil \Cav"il\, n. A captious or frivolous objection. All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cavil \Cav"il\ (k[acr]v"[icr]l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Caviled} [or] {Cavilled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Caviling} [or] {Cavilling}.] [L. cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.] To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault without good reason. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cavil \Cav"il\, v. t. To cavil at. [Obs.] --Milton.