Pronunciation: [kˈava͡ɪləz] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word is actually "cavilers," not "cavaliers." The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈkæv.ə.lərz/ and is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable. The word refers to someone who raises frivolous or trivial objections, often in a sarcastic or nitpicky manner. It is important to pay attention to spelling and pronunciation, as they can impact the meaning and interpretation of a text.
Cavilers is a plural noun derived from the term "caviler," which refers to a person who engages in excessive or pedantic criticism, particularly in a nitpicky or fault-finding manner. Cavilers are often characterized by their tendency to raise trivial or inconsequential objections or complaints, often just for the sake of argument or to provoke disagreement. They may possess a skeptical mindset and enjoy challenging others' opinions or ideas, often undermining or deriding them without offering constructive alternatives.
The term "cavilers" can also be used more broadly to describe a group of individuals who share this critical and fault-finding demeanor, often forming a collective ethos of cynicism and skepticism. It implies a sense of intellectual or rhetorical combativeness, as these individuals frequently engage in debates or disputations, occasionally adopting oppositional stances solely for the sake of challenging prevailing views or norms.
In a more historical context, the term originally referred to a member of a 17th-century English faction associated with the royalist cause during the English Civil War. These individuals were known for their discontentment and criticism of the royalist leadership, often advocating for more radical and comprehensive political reforms.
In contemporary usage, "cavilers" is often used to describe individuals who excessively criticize or find fault without proper justification, thereby hindering constructive conversations or progress.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cavilers" is derived from the noun "cavil" which, in turn, comes from the Middle French word "caviller". The Middle French word originated from the Latin verb "cavillari", meaning "to mock" or "to jest". The term "cavil" originally referred to playful or light-hearted banter or mockery. Over time, however, the meaning of "cavil" evolved to denote someone who raises trivial or unnecessary objections or criticism, thus giving rise to the term "cavilers" to describe such individuals.
