Cav·il v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caviled ∨ Cavilled p. pr. & vb. n. Caviling ∨ Cavilling.] 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.
Cav·il·ing, a. Disposed to cavil; finding fault without good reason. See Captious.
His depreciatory and caviling criticism. --Lewis.
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caviling
adj : quibbling over insignificant details; "caviling pettifoggers
and quiggling pleaders"-Edmund Burke; "her nagging and
carping attack"; "thought her editor unnecessarily
nitpicking"; "a pettifogging lawyer's mind"; "had no
patience with quibbling critics" [syn: carping, nitpicking,
pettifogging, quibbling]