quarrel
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈkwɒɹ(ə)l/
enpr: kwôrʹəl
ipa: /ˈkwɔɹəl/
enpr: kwŏrʹəl
ipa: /ˈkwɑɹəl/
rhymes: -ɒɹəl
Forms: form: quarrels
form: quarreling
form: quarrelling
form: quarreled
form: quarreled
form: quarrelled
form: quarrelled
form: no-table-tags
form: glossary
form: quarrel
form: quarrel
form: quarrelled
form: quarrel
form: quarrelest
form: quarrellest
form: quarrelled
form: quarrelledst
form: quarrels
form: quarreleth
form: quarrelleth
form: quarrelled
form: quarrel
form: quarrelled
form: quarrel
form: quarrelled
form: quarrel
form: -
form: quarrelling
form: quarrelled
form: quarrell
Etymology: From Middle English querelen (“to dispute, quarrel; to assert one's claims; to rebel”) [and other forms], from querele (noun); see etymology 1. Compare Anglo-Norman, Middle French, and Old French quereler, quereller (“to argue with, dispute; to criticize; to bring a legal suit”) (modern French quereller (“to quarrel, squabble”)).
Senses: examples: text: [T]here is no doubt but the facture or framing of the inward parts, is as full of difference, as the outward, and in that, is the Cauſe Continent of many diſeaſes, which not be obſerued, they quarrell many times with the humors which are not in fault, the fault being in the very frame and Mechanicke of the parte, which cannot be remoued by medicine alteratiue, but muſt be accomodate and palliate by dyets and medicines familiar.
ref: 1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 41, verso:
text: Nay, they [animals] feed quietly together while there is enough for them all: Quarrel onely when it begins to fail; and when 'tis ended, they ſcatter to ſeek out new encounters. Besides, thoſe called ſociable, quarrel in hunger and in luſt, as well as the others; [...]
ref: 1679, William Temple, “An Essay upon the Original and Nature of Government. […]”, in Miscellanea. […], London: […] A. M. and R. R. for Edw[ard] Gellibrand, […], →OCLC, page 61:
text: I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it.
ref: 1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 147:
glosses: To argue fiercely; to contend; to squabble; to cease to be on friendly terms, to fall out.
examples: text: to quarrel with one’s lot
text: Be not too rigidly Cenſorious, / A ſtring may jarr in the beſt Maſters hand, / And the moſt skilfull Archer miſs his aim; / But in a Poem elegantly writ, / I will not quarrel with a ſlight miſtake, / Such as our Natures frailty may excuſe; [...]
ref: 1680, Horace, translated by Earl of Roscommon [i.e., Wentworth Dillon, 4th Earl of Roscommon], Horace’s Art of Poetry. […], London: […] Henry Herringman […], →OCLC, page 24:
glosses: To find fault; to cavil.
glosses: Followed by at: to disagree with; to take offence.
examples: text: [T]hey would ſay [...] that I had quarrell'd / My brother purpoſely, thereby to finde / An apt pretext, to baniſh them my houſe.
ref: 1598, Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Euery Man in His Humour. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 21:
qualifier: obsolete except Scotland
glosses: To argue or squabble with (someone).
Derived terms: it takes two to quarrel
quarreler
quarreller
quarrel out
quarrelsome
quarrel with