cavilling

He was angry and impatient with the "cavilling spirit of mediocrity," that takes pleasure in the lapses of "the mighty-souled."

At length, without any measures of force, the cavilling of Spain ceased and she acquiesced in the transfer.

Mr. Caxton (descending from his stilts with an air as mildly reproachful as if I had been cavilling at the virtues of Socrates).

No cavilling about the national debt, however incurred; that is sacred as honor, and must be paid, principal and interest.

As for Marble, it was not in his nature to acquiesce in such an arrangement, without much cavilling and contention.