Hypertext Webster Gateway: "cavil"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Kevel \Kev"el\, n. [Prov. E. kevil, cavel, rod, pole, a large
hammer, horse's bit; cf. Icel. kefli cylinder, a stick,
mangle, and Dan. kievle a roller.]
1. (Naut.) A strong cleat to which large ropes are belayed.
2. A stone mason's hammer. [Written also {cavil}.]
{Kevel head} (Naut.), a projecting end of a timber, used as a
kevel.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cavil \Cav"il\ (k[a^]v"[i^]l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Caviled} or
{Cavilled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Caviling} or {Cavilling}.] [L.
cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla
bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.]
To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault
without good reason.
You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of
this contract. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cavil \Cav"il\, v. t.
To cavil at. [Obs.] --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cavil \Cav"il\, n.
A captious or frivolous objection.
All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief. --Shak.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
cavil
v : raise trivial objections [syn: {carp}, {chicane}]
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