Final answer:
The word 'quarrel' refers to a physical fight or a heated disagreement, representing a conflict that is more intense than a friendly discussion or casual conversation, and not a silent agreement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of the word quarrel most closely corresponds to option b), which is a physical fight or a heated disagreement. A quarrel typically involves angry words or disagreements and can sometimes lead to a physical altercation, although it doesn't always become physical.
It is certainly more intense than a friendly discussion (option a) or a casual conversation (option d), and it contradicts the idea of a silent agreement (option c). A quarrel can be seen as a disruptive form of communication, quite different from the productive and persuasive dialogue that Aristotle referred to as rhetoric, where the aim is to persuade others to support a specific position using reasons and evidence.