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cavils

cav·il
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kav-uh l]
    • /ˈkæv əl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kav-uh l]
    • /ˈkæv əl/

Definitions of cavils word

  • verb without object cavils 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 cavils to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections: to cavil each item of a proposed agenda. 1
  • noun cavils a trivial and annoying objection. 1
  • noun cavils the raising of such objections. 1
  • noun cavils Third-person singular simple present indicative form of cavil. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of cavils

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 Cavils

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

cavils 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 about 75% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

cavils usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cavils

noun cavils

  • fallacies — a deceptive, misleading, or false notion, belief, etc.: That the world is flat was at one time a popular fallacy.
  • criticisms — the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.

verb cavils

  • carp — A carp is a kind of fish that lives in lakes and rivers.

See also

Matching words

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