Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cavillation
noun
/ˌkævɪˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The act of making petty or trivial objections or arguments.
Examples
- His constant cavillation during the meeting frustrated his colleagues.
- The lawyer’s cavillation was seen as an attempt to delay the proceedings.
- In discussions, avoid cavillation and focus on the main arguments.
Meaning
Cavillation refers to the practice of arguing over trivialities or making nitpicking remarks, often in a legal or formal context. It implies a focus on minor details rather than the overall issue at hand.
Synonyms
- quibbling
- nitpicking
- petty objection
- hair-splitting
