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v. cav·iled, cav·il·ing, cav·ils also cav·illed or cav·il·ling v.intr. To argue or find fault over trivial matters; raise petty objections. See Synonyms at quibble. v.tr. To quibble about; point out petty flaws in. n. A carping or trivial objection. [French caviller, from Old French, from Latin cavillārī, to jeer, from cavilla, a jeering.] cavil·er n. |
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