Word Direct Answers

What does "quarrel" mean?

Quarrel: (Arch.) Any small square or quadrangular member; as: (a) A square of glass, esp. when set diagonally. (b) A small opening in window tracery, of which the cusps, etc., make the form nearly square. (c) A square or lozenge-shaped paving tile.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A glazier's diamond. Simmonds.
  2. 3.A four-sided cutting tool or chisel having a diamond-shaped end.
  3. 4.A breach of concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry dispute, contest, or strife; a brawl; an altercation; as, he had a quarrel with his father about expenses. I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. Lev. xxvi.
  4. 5.On open seas their quarrels they debate. Dryden.
  5. 6.Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation. Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him. Mark vi.
  6. 7.No man hath any quarrel to me. Shak. He thought he had a good quarrel to attack him. Holinshed.
  7. 8.Earnest desire or longing. [Obs.] Holland. To pick a quarrel. See under Pick, v. t.
  8. 9.To violate concord or agreement; to have a difference; to fall out; to be or become antagonistic. Our people quarrel with obedience. Shak. But some defect in her Did quarrel with the noblest grace she owed. Shak.
  9. 10.To dispute angrily, or violently; to wrangle; to scold; to altercate; to contend; to fight. Beasts called sociable quarrel in hunger and lust. Sir W. Temple.
  10. 11.To find fault; to cavil; as, to quarrel with one's lot. I will not quarrel with a slight mistake. Roscommon.
  11. 12.To quarrel with. [R.] "I had quarelled my brother purposely." B. Jonson.
  12. 13.To compel by a quarrel; as, to quarrel a man out of his estate or rights.
  13. 14.One who quarrels or wrangles; one who is quarrelsome. Shak.

Sources