Quibble

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or evasive distinction; an evasion; a cavil. Quibbles have no place in the search after truth. I. Watts.

2. A pun; a low conceit.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

2. To pun; to practice punning. Cudworth.

Synonyms: cavil; shuffle; equivocate; trifle.