pilpul
[pil-poo l]
noun
a method of disputation among rabbinical scholars regarding the interpretation of Talmudic rules and principles or Scripture that involves the development of careful and often excessively subtle distinctions.
Origin of pilpul
1890–95; < Aramaic, Hebrew pilpūl, akin to pilpēl to search, debate
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019