Cavilla, as a Latin noun, means "raillery." It's the root word from which the verb "cavil" derives.
Here's a breakdown:
- Origin: The word comes from the Latin noun cavilla.
- Meaning: Cavilla translates to "raillery," which is light teasing or good-humored ridicule.
- Connection to 'Cavil': The English verb "cavil" (to make petty or unnecessary objections) is derived from the Latin verb cavillari, meaning "to jest" or "to raise silly objections," which itself comes from cavilla.
In essence, understanding that cavilla means "raillery" provides context to the more common English word "cavil," highlighting the playful, albeit potentially annoying, origin of raising minor objections.
