quarrel

quarrel

quarrel¹ [kwôr′əl, kwär′əl]

n.

[ME quarel < OFr < ML querellus < VL * quadrellum, dim. of L quadrus, a square]

1. a bolt or arrow with a quadrangular head, shot from a crossbow

2. a small, diamond-shaped or square pane of glass, as in a latticed window

quarrel² [kwôr′əl, kwär′əl]

n.

[ME quarel < OFr querele < L querela, complaint < queri, to complain, lament < IE base * k̑wes-, to pant, snort > WHEEZE]

1. a cause for dispute

2. a dispute or disagreement, esp. one marked by anger and deep resentment

3. a falling out; breaking up of friendly relations

vi.

quarreled or quarrelled, quarreling or quarrelling

1. to find fault; complain

2. to dispute heatedly

3. to have a breach in friendship

quarreler

n.

quarreller

SYN.- QUARREL¹ implies heated verbal strife marked by anger and resentment and often suggests continued hostility as a result; WRANGLE¹ suggests a noisy dispute in which each person is vehemently insistent on his views; ALTERCATION implies verbal contention which may or may not be accompanied by blows; SQUABBLE implies undignified, childish wrangling over a small matter; SPAT¹ is the colloquial term for a petty quarrel and suggests a brief outburst that does not have a significant effect on a relationship

-ANT. AGREEMENT, HARMONY