quibble

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkwɪb(ə)l/

noun

  • 1a slight objection or criticism: the only quibble about this book is the price
  • 2 archaic a play on words; a pun.

verb

[no object]
  • argue or raise objections about a trivial matter: they are always quibbling about the amount they are prepared to pay

Derivatives

quibbler

noun

quibblingly

adverb

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'play on words, pun'): diminutive of obsolete quib 'a petty objection', probably from Latin quibus, dative and ablative plural of qui, quae, quod 'who, what, which', frequently used in legal documents and so associated with subtle distinctions or verbal niceties