noun a slight objection or criticism
verb to argue or raise objections about a trivial matter
In philosophy, 'quibble' may refer to a logical fallacy known as 'quibbling', where one side of an argument deliberately avoids addressing the main issue by focusing on minor details or technicalities.
In the field of language and linguistics, 'quibble' is used to describe a minor objection or criticism, especially one made in order to start an argument or to show off one's superior knowledge.
Within literary criticism, 'quibble' can be used to describe a nitpicking or overly critical analysis of a literary work, focusing on minor details rather than the overall themes or significance.
Within debates and arguments, 'quibble' refers to the act of raising trivial objections or finding fault in order to avoid the main issue or to win a point.
In legal and contractual contexts, 'quibble' is often used to describe a minor disagreement or dispute over the interpretation of specific terms or clauses in a document.
In writing, a writer may quibble over word choice or sentence structure to ensure clarity and precision in their work.
A psychologist may encounter clients who quibble over the details of their therapy sessions, which can be a sign of resistance or underlying issues.
Lawyers often quibble over legal technicalities in court cases to argue their points and defend their clients effectively.
Politicians may quibble over policy details during debates or negotiations to gain an advantage or sway public opinion.
An editor may quibble over grammar and punctuation errors in a manuscript to ensure that the final publication is polished and professional.