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Cavilled: meaning, definitions and examples

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cavilled

 

[ หˆkรฆv.ษชld ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

argue pointlessly

To cavilled means to make trivial or petty objections, often in a way that is unnecessarily nitpicking. It suggests a focus on insignificant details rather than the overall argument or subject matter at hand. This term is often used in legal contexts or in philosophical discussions where rigorous debate can lead to squabbling over minor issues. While having a productive debate is important, cavilling can obstruct meaningful discourse.

Synonyms

fuss, nitpick, quibble, splitting hairs

Examples of usage

  • The committee spent hours cavilling over the wording of the proposal.
  • He always finds a way to cavill at my suggestions, making collaboration difficult.
  • Instead of discussing the main points, they chose to cavill about minor inaccuracies.

Translations

Translations of the word "cavilled" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น contestado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคฟเคตเคพเคฆเคฟเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช angefochten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ diperdebatkan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพัะบะฐั€ะถะตะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kwestionowany

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็•ฐ่ญฐใ‚’ๅ”ฑใˆใ‚‰ใ‚ŒใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท contestรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cuestionado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tartฤฑลŸฤฑlan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋…ผ๋ž€์ด ๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุดูƒูˆูƒ ููŠู‡

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zpochybnฤ›nรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ spochybnenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ—ๅˆฐ่ดจ็–‘็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dvomljiv

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ deilt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐะปา›ั‹ะปะฐะฝา“ะฐะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒ”แƒ™แƒ˜แƒ—แƒฎแƒ•แƒ˜แƒก แƒฅแƒ•แƒ”แƒจ แƒ›แƒ“แƒ’แƒแƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผbahisษ™li

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cuestionado

Etymology

The word 'cavilled' is derived from the Latin verb 'cavillari', which means to jest or to make trivial objections. It entered the English language in the early 17th century, evolving from its Latin roots through Old French as 'caviller'. Historically, the term has been used within legal contexts, reflecting situations where parties engaged in debates were concerned about minutiae that could potentially change the interpretation of a point. Over the years, 'cavilled' has come to signify not just legalistic arguments, but any instance of engaging in pointless or pedantic discussions. This etymology points to the longstanding human behavior of focusing on minor details at the expense of broader understanding or progress.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,295, 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.