cavillation
(kævɪˈleɪʃən)
Forms: 4 kauelacion, 4–6 cauel(l)acion, (-acyoun, etc.), 4–7 cau-, cavil(l)-, cavyl(l)acion, 6 cauel(l)ation, 7 cavilation, 5– cavillation.
[a. F. cavillation (13th c. cavillacion in Littré), ad. L. cavillātiōn-em a jeering, scoffing, in med.L. a legal subterfuge, chicane, f. cavillāri (see cavil v.).]
Cavilling.
1. † a. In early use, esp. The making of captious, frivolous, quibbling, or unfair objections, arguments, or charges, in legal proceedings; the use of legal quibbles, or taking advantage of technical flaws, so as to overreach or defraud; hence, chicanery, trickery, overreaching sophistry. Obs.
| c 1340 Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 2275 Nawþer fyked I, ne flaȝe, freke, quen þou myntest, Ne kest no kauelacion. 138. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 198 Ne cavyllacion ne procuratour schal be þere. 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle iv. xxix. (1859) 62 Yf lawes be keped stably withoute ony cauyllacions, or fals fauoure of persones. a 1500 Songs & Carols (Wright) 66 (Mätz.) Was not Adam..Arystotyll, Vergyll, by a womans cavylacion Browt to iniquyte and to mych woo? 1549 Compl. Scot. 167 Aye inuentand cauillatione and vrang titilis to hef ther nychtbours heretagis. 1631 G. Webbe Quietn. (1657) 190 If these accusations..are mere surmises or forged cavilations. 1636 Featly Clavis Myst. xxix. 373 Bribery and forged cavillations [haunt] the courts of justice. |
b. = cavilling.
| c 1540 Life of Fisher Wks. ii. (1887) Introd. 41 Lest some cavillacion might in time arise about this matter. 1671 True Non-Conf. 120 Those who have cleared this point above cavillation. a 1734 North Exam. ii. v. ¶132 We have instead of a Narration, a World of Cavillation. 1838–9 Hallam Hist. Lit. II. ii. iii. §16. 112 A good deal more follows in the same sophistical style of cavillation. |
c. = cavil n. 1. arch.
| 1532 More Answ. Frith Wks. 835/2 To trifle out the trouth of Goddes wordes; with cauillacions grounded vpon goddes other wordes. 1540 T. Raynalde Byrth Man (1634) Prol. 9 With diuers other such like cauillations and reasons. c 1645 Howell Lett. (1688) IV. 468 Left-handed Arguments, approaching the nature of cavillations. 1866 Motley Dutch Rep. vi. ij. 797 Provided it were interpreted healthily, and not dislocated by cavillations and sinister interpolations. |
† 2. = L. cavillatio, a jeering, scoffing. Obs.—0
| 1623 Cockeram ii, Merry Taunts, Cauillations. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Cavillation, a mock or jest. |