Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
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- [kav-uh l]
- /ˈkæv əl/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kav-uh l]
- /ˈkæv əl/
Definitions of cavilling word
- verb without object cavilling to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say. 1
- verb with object cavilling to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections: to cavil each item of a proposed agenda. 1
- noun cavilling a trivial and annoying objection. 1
- noun cavilling the raising of such objections. 1
- noun cavilling Present participle of cavil. 1
- noun cavilling cavillation. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of cavilling
First appearance:
before 1540 One of the 30% oldest English words
1540-50; < Latin cavillārī to jeer, scoff, quibble, verbal derivative of cavilla jesting, banter
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Cavilling
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
cavilling popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 77% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.
cavilling usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for cavilling
adjective cavilling
- hairsplitting — the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.
noun cavilling
- perfectionism — any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.
- zapper — to kill or shoot.
- statics — Electricity. static or atmospheric electricity. interference due to such electricity.
- brickbat — Brickbats are very critical or insulting remarks which are made in public about someone or something.
- call down — to request or invoke
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with ca
- Words starting with cav
- Words starting with cavi
- Words starting with cavil
- Words starting with cavill
- Words starting with cavilli
- Words starting with cavillin
- Words starting with cavilling