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cavil

Pronunciation: /ˈkæv.əl/

The English word “cavil” has 2 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.

noun

  1. A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

Etymology

From Old French caviller (“mock, jest, rail”), from Latin cavillor (“jeer, mock, satirise, reason captiously”), from cavilla (“jeering, raillery, scoffing”); cognate with Italian cavillare, Portuguese cavillar, and Spanish cavilar; nominal usage developed within English from the original verbal usage.

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