hairsplitting

[hair-split-ing]

See more synonyms for hairsplitting on Thesaurus.com

noun

the making of unnecessarily fine distinctions.

adjective

characterized by such distinctions: the hairsplitting arguments of a political debate.

Origin of hairsplitting

First recorded in 1820–30; hair + splitting

Related formshair·split·ter, noun

Synonyms

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2. quibbling, niggling, nitpicking, captious.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hair-splitting

Contemporary Examples

Much of the theological dispute might seem like hair-splitting, but the stakes were high.
Plotting Nicea III Could Be Pope Francis's Masterstroke
Candida Moss
June 8, 2014

Historical Examples

There is my defence on Terminus, or better say on hair-splitting.
Erasmus and the Age of Reformation
Johan Huizinga
It is a danger to which ingenious and hair-splitting writers are liable.
Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather
Charles W. Upham
This is not hair-splitting in the opprobrious sense of that term.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine
Austin Malley
I know your hair-splitting habit; I at once anticipate your reply.
The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. II.(of II)
Charles James Lever
But he disliked the corrupt method of his countrymen, who indulged in hair-splitting, casuistry, and subtleties.
History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6)
Heinrich Graetz

British Dictionary definitions for hair-splitting

hairsplitting

noun

the making of petty distinctions

adjective

occupied with or based on petty distinctions

Derived Formshairsplitter, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hair-splitting

n.

"making over-nice distinctions," by 1739, from hair + verbal noun from split (v.). To split hairs "make over-fine distinctions" is first recorded 1650s, as to cut the hair. Hair also being 18c. slang for "female pudendum," hair-splitter was noted in 1811 as slang for "penis."

hairsplitting

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}hairsplitting

Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for hair-splitting

Contemporary Examples

Much of the theological dispute might seem like hair-splitting, but the stakes were high.

Historical Examples

There is my defence on Terminus, or better say on hair-splitting.

It is a danger to which ingenious and hair-splitting writers are liable.

This is not hair-splitting in the opprobrious sense of that term.

I know your hair-splitting habit; I at once anticipate your reply.

But he disliked the corrupt method of his countrymen, who indulged in hair-splitting, casuistry, and subtleties.

hairsplitting

Word Origin and History for hair-splitting

n.

Origin of hairsplitting