quibbling I. noun (-s) Etymology: from gerund of quibble (II) 1.: the action of one that quibbles 2.: an instance of quibbling < theological quibblings — Corra Harris > II. adjective Etymology: from present participle of quibble (II) : marked by or consisting of quibbles : carping, caviling < had no patience with quibbling criticism > • quib·bling·lyadverb