Cavillous
/ˈkæv.ɪ.ləs/noun
Given to petty or frivolous criticism.
Did you know?Cavillous comes from the same Latin root as *cavil*, and historically it meant making objections so trivial they bordered on verbal mischief rather than serious argument.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
cavillārī
“to jest, mock, or quibble”
Late Latin
Latin
cavilla
“a joke, taunt, or quibble”
14th Century
English
cavill
“a frivolous objection or quibble”
17th Century
English
cavillous
“disposed to make petty objections; captious”
Modern English
English
cavillous
“given to trivial or annoying criticism”
Explore more surprising origins