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.
I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. Lev. xxvi. 25.
On open seas their quarrels they debate. Dryden.
2. Ground of objection, dislike, difference, or hostility; cause of dispute or contest; occasion of altercation.
Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him. Mark vi. 19.
No man hath any quarrel to me. Shak.
He thought he had a good quarrel to attack him. Holinshed.
3. Earnest desire or longing. Holland.
To pick a quarrel. See under Pick, v. t.
Syn. — Brawl; broil; squabble; affray; feud; tumult; contest; dispute; altercation; contention; wrangle.