Library / English Dictionary

SQUABBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A quarrel about petty points

Synonyms:

bicker; bickering; fuss; pettifoggery; spat; squabble; tiff

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("squabble" is a kind of...):

dustup; quarrel; row; run-in; words; wrangle (an angry dispute)

Derivation:

squabble (argue over petty things)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Argue over petty things

Example:

Let's not quibble over pennies

Synonyms:

bicker; brabble; niggle; pettifog; quibble; squabble

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "squabble" is one way to...):

argue; contend; debate; fence (have an argument about something)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

squabble (a quarrel about petty points)

Credits

 Context examples: 

It was an everlasting miracle to Martin how it was accomplished, and from her side of the thin partition he heard nightly every detail of the going to bed, the squalls and squabbles, the soft chattering, and the sleepy, twittering noises as of birds.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Her continual disagreements with her mother, her rash squabbles with Tom and Charles, and petulance with Betsey, were at least so distressing to Fanny that, though admitting they were by no means without provocation, she feared the disposition that could push them to such length must be far from amiable, and from affording any repose to herself.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Wherever there was trouble and uproar in camp, fighting and squabbling or the outcry of a squaw over a bit of stolen meat, they were sure to find White Fang mixed up in it and usually at the bottom of it.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

She was thrilling to a desire that urged her to go forward, to be in closer to that fire, to be squabbling with the dogs, and to be avoiding and dodging the stumbling feet of men.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He had begun to romp with them in a feeble, awkward way, and even to squabble, his little throat vibrating with a queer rasping noise (the forerunner of the growl), as he worked himself into a passion.

(White Fang, by Jack London)