[f. prec.]
† 1. A quibble, a captious objection or dispute.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 227/2. To confounde … the Sophisticall brables of all other adversaries.
a. 1626. Bp. Andrews, Serm., ix. (1641), 105. True righteousnesse leadeth to peace, not to questions and brabble.
1674. Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 312. It is not worth the Readers trouble to interess him in such a foolish brabble.
† 2. A frivolous or paltry action at law. Obs.
1598. R. Bernard, Terence’s Andria, IV. v. To go follow sutes and brabbles in law.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 271. In Judicial Affairs … those less general words of Suit, Controversie … Case, Cause, Action … Brabble.
1677. Hobbes, Odyss., 150. The judge ariseth from his seat, Ending the brabbles of contentious men.
3. A paltry altercation, noisy quarrel.
1566. Grindal, Lett., Wks. (1843), 289. To declare a womanish brabble that happened yesternight in a church in London.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. viii. 69. Fluellen … Keepe you out of prawles and prabbles and quarrels.
1641. Milton, Ch. Discip., II. Wks. (1851), 54. To make a Nationall Warre of a Surplice Brabble, a Tippet-scuffle.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), II. xv. 229. To spend the time in private brabbles and piques … is not a good course.
† b. A brawl, skirmish, or petty war. Obs.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., III. 1145/1. In the which brabble it happened the capteins horsse to be slaine vnder him.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., V. i. 68. Heere in the streets … In priuate brabble did we apprehend him.
1622. Heylin, Cosmogr., III. (1682), 168. A matter of more consequence than these Scythian brables.
4. Discordant babble.
1861. Sala, Sev. Sons Mam., xxvi. in Temple Bar, III. Oct., 197. The myriad-langued brabble had ceased at the starting.
1868. Browning, Ring & Bk., IV. 34. To hear the rabble and brabble, you’d call the case Fused and confused past human finding out.
