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 & vrang titilis to hef ther nychtbours heretagis.
1631. Bp. 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. [R. MacWard], 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 sb. 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. Raynald, Byrth Mankynde (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.
