Read full poem →us proxies, both for piety and penances: We can easily swallow and
digest a wafer deity, and will never cavil at the mass in an unknown
tongue, when the sacrifice itself is so unintelligible. We shall never
Dictionary Entry
A petty or trivial objection or criticism.
Origin
Origin details are still being enriched for this entry.
Common Phrases
. cavilcavil beyondcavil without
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Antonyms
No antonyms yet.
Poetry examples for “cavil”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Read full poem →and, after his death, by M. Gustave Revilliod, has placed his reputation
as historian, satirist, philosopher, beyond doubt or cavil. One
quotation must suffice. He is contrasting the Protestants with the
Read full poem →‘noble Doctor,’ it might be allowable, because they belong to the
profession. But, not to cavil at trifles, you talk of my ‘spring-velvet
coat,’ and advise me to wear it the first day in the year,—that is,
Read full poem →probably, have been more fruitful and sprightly, if his judgment had been
less severe, may be answered, by a remarker somewhat inclined to cavil,
by a contrary supposition, that his judgment would, probably, have been
Read full poem →And little reck I of the censure sharp
May idly cavil at an idle lay.
Much have I owed thy strains on life’s long way,
Read full poem →And little reck I of the censure sharp
May idly cavil at an idle lay.
Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way,