- To pick a quarrel
- Quarrel Quar"rel, n. [OE. querele, OF. querele, F. querelle,
fr. L. querela, querella, a complaint, fr. queri to complain.
See {Querulous}.]
1. 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.
[1913 Webster]
I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. --Lev. xxvi. 25. [1913 Webster]
On open seas their quarrels they debate. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation. [1913 Webster]
Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him. --Mark vi. 19. [1913 Webster]
No man hath any quarrel to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
He thought he had a good quarrel to attack him. --Holinshed. [1913 Webster]
3. Earnest desire or longing. [Obs.] --Holland. [1913 Webster]
{To pick a quarrel}. See under {Pick}, v. t. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Brawl; broil; squabble; affray; feud; tumult; contest; dispute; altercation; contention; wrangle. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.