词为我用 - cavil

词汇释义 

cavil  TEM8   GRE

UK  /ˈkæv.əl/ US  /ˈkæv.əl/

1. verb, (formal, disapproval)If you say that someone cavils at something, you mean that they make criticisms of it that you think are unimportant or unnecessary. 挑剔，吹毛求疵

2. noun, an objection of this kind. 吹毛求疵的意见，挑剔

词汇图表

外刊例句 

1. They talk a lot about how something must be done about inequality and the need to address social unrest, but cavil at the idea they might be a big part of the problem.(The Guardian)

2. This lack of a central authority is one of the reasons why Dimon cavilled in such strong terms last week.(The Guardian)

3. Although some in might cavil at the claim that the UK is one of the most successful monetary, fiscal and political unions in history, first minister Alex Salmond understands the sensitivity of this issue.(The Guardian)

4. Critics of such a tax cavil that it will harm our capital markets and won't raise that much money.(New York Times)

5. I occasionally wished “Too Bright to See” was in something other than the earnest first-person present tense that so litters contemporary books for children, but this is a small cavil.(New York Times）

6. Still, setting aside any minor cavils, you will certainly enjoy “Presto and Zesto in Limboland” and, if it doesn’t seem too static or just plain weird, so will your children.(Washington Post)

7. Yet despite numerous cavils, “The Aeneid” still fuels modern imaginations.(Washington Post)

8.This is a novel full of wit and spark; I found it oddly irresistible and arresting, despite my cavils.(New York Times)

9. Despite my few cavils, “Avid Reader” will be avidly read by anyone interested in the publishing world of the past 60 years.(Washington Post)

10. My one cavil would be that his tempi tend to be conservative; the Allegro con Brio of the Prokofiev and the Beethoven Scherzo both felt a little earthbound.(Washington Post)

11.But only a blert would cavil when there's so much to savour.(The Guardian)

12. These are small cavils in an otherwise sparkling achievement.(Seattle Times)

词汇搭配 

cavil at | small, minor cavil

词汇家族

caviller, cavilling, cavils, caviled

词汇来源 

"to raise frivolous objections, find fault without good reason," 1540s, from French caviller "to mock, jest," from Latin cavillari "to jeer, mock; satirize, argue scoffingly" (also source of Italian cavillare, Spanish cavilar), from cavilla "jest, jeering," which is related to calumnia "slander, false accusation" (see calumny). 

近义词 

carp, fuss, niggle, nitpick, quibble,criticize, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl, murmur, mutter, misunderstanding, argument, conflict, debate, dispute, dissent, hassle, quarrel, squabble, static, compunction, doubt, misgiving, qualm, scruple, censure, criticism, challenge, complaint

反义词 

applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend,approve, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, willingness, approval, sanction, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, compliance, obedience