quarrel

¹

[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]

noun

1. an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.

   Synonyms: fight, difference, controversy, contention, argument

2. a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling:

   She has no quarrel with her present salary.

verb (used without object)

, quar·reled, quar·rel·ing or (especially British) quar·relled, quar·rel·ling.

1. to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.

   Synonyms: fight, brawl, argue, bicker

2. to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
3. to make a complaint; find fault.

quarrel

²

[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]

noun

1. a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
2. Also a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
3. any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

quarrel

¹

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

1. an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
2. a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead

quarrel

²

/ ˈkwɒrəl /

noun

1. an angry disagreement; argument
2. a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb

1. to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
2. to find fault; complain

Derived Forms

• ˈquarreller, noun

Other Words From

• quarrel·er noun
• quarrel·ing·ly adverb
• un·quarrel·ing adjective
• un·quarrel·ling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quarrel¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English querele, from Old French, from Latin querēla, querella “complaint,” noun derivative of querī “to complain”

Origin of quarrel²

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English quarel, from Old French, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus “square”

Word History and Origins

Origin of quarrel¹

C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square

Origin of quarrel²

C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain

Idioms and Phrases

see pick a quarrel .

Synonym Study

Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict. Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation: It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl. Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group: dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats.

Example Sentences

“We ask God all the time for a peace accord. It’s like a family quarrel.”

From Los Angeles Times

But with the Raiders fleeing Oakland and the Athletics poised to follow suit, the two cities apparently needed something new to quarrel over.

From Los Angeles Times

“It needs to be a giant bureaucracy in order to deliver water and power. I don’t quarrel with that, but giant bureaucracies don’t have much flexibility,” Galanter said.

From Los Angeles Times

Hogan, to our knowledge, has never had any quarrel with Trump.

From Slate

It turns out the male bighorn sheep weren't rivals; they were sexual partners, engaged in what could be characterized as a lovers' quarrel.

From Salon

Related Words

• altercation
• argument
• bickering
• brawl
• controversy
• difference
• difference of opinion
• discord
• dispute
• dissension
• disturbance
• falling-out
• feud
• fracas
• misunderstanding
• row
• ruckus
• run-in
• spat
• squabble