quarrel

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, square block of stone, bolt, from Vulgar Latin *quadrellum, diminutive of Latin quadrum square — more at quadrate Date: 13th century a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow II. noun Etymology: Middle English querele, from Anglo-French, from Latin querela grievance, complaint, from queri to complain Date: 14th century 1. a ground of dispute or complaint <

have no quarrel with a different approach

> 2. a usually verbal conflict between antagonists ; altercation Synonyms: quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger. quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention <

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

>. wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions <

wrangle interminably about small issues

>. altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows <

a loud public altercation

>. squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger <

a brief squabble over what to do next

>. III. intransitive verb (-reled or -relled; -reling or -relling) Date: 14th century 1. to find fault <

many people quarrel with the idea — Johns Hopkins Magazine

> 2. to contend or dispute actively <

quarreled frequently with his superiors — London Calling

> • quarreler or quarreller noun