quibble
quibble
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "quibble" is:
/ˈkwɪbəl/ (for most English dialects)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First syllable (kwɪb):
/k/: voiceless velar plosive (similar to the "k" sound in "key")
/w/: labiovelar approximant (rounded consonant sound similar to "w" in "wet")
/ɪ/: near-close near-back unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" sound in "bit")
Second syllable (əl):
/əl/: syllabic alveolar liquid (a short "ul" sound)
Word Form Variations
The word "quibble" has several word form variations:
Singular: quibble (as you already know)
Plural: quibbles (simply adding an "s" to the singular form)
Present participle (verb form): quibbling (indicates an ongoing action of making petty arguments)
Past participle (verb form): quibbled (indicates a completed action of making petty arguments)
Noun derived from the verb: quibbler (refers to someone who frequently makes petty arguments)
Adverb derived from the present participle: quibblingly (describes the manner of arguing in a petty way)
Note: "Quibble" can also be an obsolete verb meaning "to play on words" or "make a pun," but this usage is rarely encountered in modern English.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A minor and unimportant objection or complaint.
Synonyms: nitpick, cavil, quiddity, niggle
Antonyms: substantive point, major concern, valid criticism
Verb:
Definition (1): To argue about unimportant details or minor points, often in an attempt to avoid the main issue.
Synonyms (for definition 1): bicker, wrangle, split hairs, carp
Antonyms (for definition 1): address directly, confront the issue, discuss openly
Definition (2): (archaic) To use wordplay or puns. (This definition is uncommon in modern English)
Synonyms (for definition 2): pun, play on words (Note: No true antonym for this definition)
Adverb (derived from present participle):
Definition: In a way that involves arguing about unimportant details.
Synonyms: pettily, nitpickingly, argumentatively
Antonyms: substantively, directly, to the point
Examples of Use
Literature:
Book: In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," Mr. Collins spends a chapter quibbling over the exact wording of the entailment on the Bennet estate, highlighting his focus on minor details (Chapter 19).
Newspaper:
A headline from a recent political news article might read: "Lawmakers quibble over tax bill details while deadline looms".
Online Publication:
A movie review website might criticise a film for quibbling over minor plot inconsistencies rather than focusing on the overall story.
Entertainment Mediums:
In the TV show "The Good Place," characters might quibble over the exact rules of heaven's point system, adding a comedic element (Source: "The Good Place," NBC).
Public Discourse:
During a debate, one politician might accuse the other of quibbling to avoid addressing the real issues facing voters.
General Conversation:
Two friends discussing a movie might quibble over whether a character's decision was justified, highlighting a minor difference in opinion.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Quibble
Unfortunately, there aren't many famous quotes that directly use the word "quibble." The word often appears in analysis or descriptions of quotes, but not within the quotes themselves. Here are some alternatives:
"The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has." (Confucius) - This quote implies a focus on substance rather than getting bogged down in unimportant details.
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) - Similar to the previous quote, this emphasises the importance of focusing on the core message and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
"Let us not be petty with each other on insignificant points." (George Washington) - This quote directly discourages getting hung up on minor issues.
"There is nothing so tiring as fighting with a shadow." (Vince Lombardi) - This quote speaks to the futility of getting caught up in meaningless arguments.
"Life is too short to waste time on negativity. Go out there and live your life!" (Joel Brown) - This quote encourages focusing on positive aspects of life rather than dwelling on minor issues.
"Don't sweat the small stuff." (Richard Carlson) - This common saying offers similar advice to the previous quote.
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." (Eleanor Roosevelt) - This quote highlights the importance of focusing on bigger ideas rather than getting caught up in gossip or petty arguments.
"Action is the antidote to anxiety." (Jerry Seinfeld) - This quote encourages taking action and moving forward instead of getting stuck on details.
"Let us never negotiate out of fear, but out of hope." (John F. Kennedy) - This quote emphasises focusing on solutions and positive outcomes rather than getting bogged down in arguments.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." (Socrates) - This quote highlights the importance of humility and being open to learning, which can help avoid getting stuck in rigid arguments about unimportant details.
Etymology
The word "quibble" is like a descendant of a fancy legal term! Here's the breakdown:
A long time ago (around the 1500s), there was a Latin word "quibus" used a lot in legal documents. It basically meant "by what" or "in what respect."
Imagine all those lawyers using "quibus" all the time. People started to associate the word with getting hung up on tiny details, especially in arguments.
Over time, the word "quibble" popped up in English (around the 1600s) based on that older Latin term. At first, it even meant "to play on words" like a pun, but that meaning faded away.
So, "quibble" stuck around as a word to describe arguing about unimportant things, just like those lawyers who got hung up on the exact wording of their documents.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Quibble
Quibble over: This is the most common way to use "quibble" and refers to arguing or complaining about minor details. (e.g., "They quibbled over the exact wording of the contract for hours.")
Split hairs: This idiom is similar to "quibble over" and suggests focusing on unimportant distinctions. (e.g., "Don't split hairs about the colour of the tablecloth, just pick one!")
Raise a quibble: This phrase indicates bringing up a minor objection or complaint. (e.g., "She raised a quibble about the meeting time, but ultimately agreed to attend.")
Don't quibble: This is a direct instruction to stop arguing about unimportant details. (e.g., "Just pay the bill, don't quibble about a few cents.")
Mere quibbles: This phrase describes minor objections or complaints as insignificant. (e.g., "Their concerns were mere quibbles compared to the major issues at hand.")
To a quibble: This phrase, used less frequently, suggests down to the very least detail, potentially including unimportant ones. (e.g., "He planned the trip to a quibble, even packing a specific type of adapter for each country.")
Posts Related to Quibble
Source Information
Definition of quibble from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.