stickled

The rebel officer—though they were not to be called rebels: this was a rising, not a rebellion and the officer stickled for the distinction—pointed out the areas of interest.

At Swim, Two Boys Jamie O’Neill 2002

The rebel officer—though they were not to be called rebels: this was a rising, not a rebellion and the officer stickled for the distinction—pointed out the areas of interest.

At Swim, Two Boys Jamie O’Neill 2002

Ammon stickled for the _eternal_ principle of righteousness, and contended that it had been violated in the first instance.

Cotton is King, and Pro-Slavery Arguments Comprising the Writings of Hammond, Harper, Christy, Stringfellow, Hodge, Bledsoe, and Cartrwright on This Important Subject E. N. [Editor] Elliott

Sawkins 'men taunted him with "backwardness" in that engagement, and "stickled not to defame, or brand him with the note of cowardice."

On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. John Masefield 1922

"One party of English soldiers stickled not to contravene these commands, being tempted with the desire of finding victuals."

On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. John Masefield 1922

Notwithstanding, one party of English soldiers stickled not to contravene these commands, being thereunto tempted with the desire of finding victuals.

The Buccaneers in the West Indies in the XVII Century Clarence Henry Haring 1922

For reasons best known to himself, Judge Priest, who ordinarily stickled for order and decorum in his courtroom, made no effort to quell the outburst or to have it quelled -- not even when a considerable number of the adults present joined in it, having first cleared their throats of a slight huskiness that had come upon them, severally and generally.

The Best Short Stories of 1917 and the Yearbook of the American Short Story Various 1915

For reasons best known to himself, Judge Priest, who ordinarily stickled for order and decorum in his courtroom, made no effort to quell the outburst or to have it quelled -- not even when a considerable number of the adults present joined in it, having first cleared their throats of a slight huskiness that had come upon them, severally and generally.

From Place to Place 1910

"Ten to one as a County magnate he stickled for it, and the High Sheriff put him on the panel to keep him amused."

Lady Good-for-Nothing Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

It was personal liberty that took every man west, but we've stood and stickled for the actual law, and we've been robbed under it: robbed as a state, and now they want to rob us as individuals.

The Purchase Price Emerson Hough 1890