Prevaricate - English meaning

verb

Make petty or unnecessary objections.

Usage examples:

They cavilled at the cost

noun

A petty or unnecessary objection.

Usage examples:

But although i sympathise with almost all of what todorov says, and applaud his achievement in sayi…

verb

To make unreasonable complaints, especially about things that are not important

Usage examples:

The one cavil i have about the book is that it is written as a diary., the main cavil is that the w…

verb

Use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.

Usage examples:

The government have equivocated too often in the past

verb

To speak in a way that is intentionally not clear and confusing to other people, especially to hide the truth

Usage examples:

She accused the minister of equivocating, claiming that he had deliberately avoided telling the pub…

noun

A barrier, railing, or other upright structure, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to prevent or control access or escape.

Usage examples:

South korean news agency yonhap said the group cut through a wire fence to gain access to the schoo…

verb

Surround or protect with a fence.

Usage examples:

Our garden was not fully fenced

noun

A structure of wood or wire forming a wall around a house or a piece of land, often to keep people or animals from coming in or going out

Usage examples:

He put up a fence to keep his dog in the backyard., the area is fenced on three sides but not along…

noun

A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.

Usage examples:

A privet hedge

verb

Surround with a hedge.

Usage examples:

A garden hedged with yew

noun

A line of bushes or small trees planted close together, esp. along the edge of a yard or road

Usage examples:

She invested in foreign companies as a hedge against inflation., [ t ] congressmen were warned agai…

verb

Act in a cautious or non-committal way.

Usage examples:

I realized i could no longer pussyfoot around

verb

To be careful about expressing an opinion or taking action, esp. because you might hurt someone’s feelings

Usage examples:

Quit pussyfooting around and tell me what you really think.

noun

A slight objection or criticism about a trivial matter.

Usage examples:

The only quibble about this book is the price

verb

Argue or raise objections about a trivial matter.

Usage examples:

They are always quibbling about the amount they are prepared to pay

verb

To argue or complain about small and unimportant details

Usage examples:

The issue is too important to quibble over., my only quibble with the movie is that it’s too long.

verb

To spend too much time doing something or making a decision because you do not know what is the right thing to do

Usage examples:

Stop shilly-shallying and make a decision now!

verb

Walk by dragging one's feet along or without lifting them fully from the ground.

Usage examples:

I stepped into my skis and shuffled to the edge of the steep slope

noun

A shuffling movement, walk, or sound.

Usage examples:

There was a shuffle of approaching feet

verb

To walk by sliding your feet, rather than lifting them as you step

Usage examples:

[ i always + adv/prep ] grandfather shuffled into the kitchen, leaning on his cane., [ t ] when i a…

verb

Waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

Usage examples:

I vacillated between teaching and journalism