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Caviling: meaning, definitions and examples

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caviling

 

[ ˈkavɪlɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

in a critical or pedantic manner

Find fault with small or pettifogging objections; raise trivial objections.

Synonyms

carp, nitpick, quibble

Examples of usage

  • He never missed an opportunity of caviling at the verdicts of the court.
Context #2 | Noun

criticism or objections that are trivial or unnecessary

The practice of making petty or unnecessary objections.

Synonyms

niggling, pettifogging, quibbling

Examples of usage

  • His constant caviling about the smallest details was starting to irritate everyone in the team.

Translations

Translations of the word "caviling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reclamação

🇮🇳 आलोचना

🇩🇪 Nörgelei

🇮🇩 keluhan

🇺🇦 причіпка

🇵🇱 narzekanie

🇯🇵 粗探し

🇫🇷 chicane

🇪🇸 reclamación

🇹🇷 şikayet

🇰🇷 트집

🇸🇦 انتقاد

🇨🇿 kverulování

🇸🇰 kverulácia

🇨🇳 挑剔

🇸🇮 pritožba

🇮🇸 kvartanir

🇰🇿 шағым

🇬🇪 წუნება

🇦🇿 şikayət

🇲🇽 reclamación

Word origin

The word 'caviling' originated from the Middle English word 'cavilen', which in turn came from the Old French word 'caviller' meaning 'to reason, mock, or quibble'. The term has evolved over time to represent the act of finding fault or raising trivial objections. It has been used in English language literature and discourse for centuries to describe criticism or objections that are considered petty or unnecessary.

See also: cavil, caviler.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,437, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.