cavil /ˈkævɪl/ ( cavilling, cavilled, cavils )

• 1. 

  V-I If you say that someone cavils at something, you mean that they make criticisms of it that you think are unimportant or unnecessary. 吹毛求疵 [正式] [no passive]

  例：

  Let us not cavil too much.

  我们不要太吹毛求疵。

  例：

  I don't think this is the time to cavil at the wording of the report.

  我认为现在不是对这份报告的措辞吹毛求疵的时候。

• 2. 

  N-COUNT Cavil is also a noun. 吹毛求疵的意见

  例：

  These cavils aside, most of the essays are very good indeed.

  撇开这些吹毛求疵的意见，大多数论文确实非常好。