quibble

FREQ #32545

n. 遁词, 双关语 vi. 吹毛求疵, 争吵, 说模棱两可的话 vt. 对...诡辩

发音

AU /ˈkwɪbəl/

词形变化

quibbles 复数 quibbles quibbled quibbles 三单 quibbling quibbling 现在分词 quibbled 过去式 quibbled 过去分词

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint.

    He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.

  2. 2.

    A pun.

    古体
v.
  1. 1.

    To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.

    非正式 不及物

    They are constantly quibbling over insignificant details.

  2. 2.

    To contest, especially some trivial issue in a petty manner.

    非正式 罕用 及物

    The customer quibbled the bill.

词汇关系

名词

同义词 2

cavil quiddity

上位词 2

evasion equivocation
动词

同义词 5

squabble bicker brabble niggle pettifog

上位词 10

duck argue fence debate skirt dodge fudge hedge evade contend

词源

Origin uncertain. Possibly from quib (“quibble”, noun) + -le (diminutive ending). Quib is probably from Latin quibus (“in what respect? how?”), which appeared frequently in legal documents and came to be suggestive of the verbosity and petty argumentation found therein; or perhaps an alteration of quip. Alternatively, perhaps related to dialectal Dutch kwebbelen (“to speak quickly and continuously, chatter”). Compare also Scots wheebele (“a quibble”).

来源：wiktionary