| 释义 |
quib·ble
I. \ˈkwibəl\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: probably diminutive of obsolete quib quibble, perhaps from Latin quibus, dative & abl. plural of qui who, which (often used in legal documents) — more at who
1. archaic : pun
2.
a.
(1) : something (as a line of reasoning adopted, an objection made, a distinction drawn, a point advanced) that evades, shifts from, or obscures the real point at issue in some discussion or argument by reason of centering on what is relatively unimportant and often petty or totally irrelevant and that is marked typically by hedging or equivocation
< produces more quibbles and qualifications than it does direct answers — S.L.Payne >
(2) : a minor objection or piece of criticism arising typically from an exaggerated tendency to find fault
< had a few quibbles about the quality of the performance >
b. : argumentation, protestation, or criticism marked by or consisting of quibbles
< in discussing this situation there is no room for quibble — W.H.Camp >
< a procedure that is open to quibble >
II. verb
(quibbled ; quibbled ; quibbling \-b(ə)liŋ\ ; quibbles)
intransitive verb
1. archaic : pun
2.
a.
(1) : to make use of, indulge in, or resort to quibbles
< had no desire to quibble when decisive action was called for >
(2) : to object to something or criticize something on minor grounds that typically reflect an exaggerated tendency to find fault : cavil, carp
< was a peevish critic, always ready to quibble >
b. : to indulge in argumentation, protestation, or criticism marked by or consisting of quibbles : bicker
< the usual quibbling over what should be included in the humanities — W.H.Whyte >
transitive verb
: to subject to quibbles
< aren't inclined to quibble the point — S.E.Hyman > |