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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Squabble


SQUABBLE, verb intransitive [I know not the origin of this word, but it seems to be from the root of wabble; G., to vibrate, to quake, to be sleek. See Squab.]

1. To contend for superiority; to scuffle; to struggle; as, two persons squabble in sport.

2. To contend; to wrangle; to quarrel.

3. To debate peevishly; to dispute. If there must be disputes, it is less criminal to squabble than to murder.

[Squabble is not an elegant word in any of its uses. In some of them it is low.]

SQUABBLE, noun A scuffle; a wrangle; a brawl; a petty quarrel.