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Synonyms for hair-splitting


Grammar : Adj
Spell : hair-split-ing
Phonetic Transcription : ˈhɛərˌsplɪt ɪŋ

Top 10 synonyms for hair-splitting Other synonyms for the word hair-splitting

Définition of hair-splitting

Origin :
  • "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."
  • As in hypercritical : adj captious
Example sentences :
  • There is my defence on Terminus, or better say on hair-splitting.
  • Extract from : « Erasmus and the Age of Reformation » by Johan Huizinga
  • It is a danger to which ingenious and hair-splitting writers are liable.
  • Extract from : « Salem Witchcraft and Cotton Mather » by Charles W. Upham
  • This is not hair-splitting in the opprobrious sense of that term.
  • Extract from : « Essays In Pastoral Medicine » by Austin Malley
  • I know your hair-splitting habit; I at once anticipate your reply.
  • Extract from : « The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. II.(of II) » by Charles James Lever
  • But he disliked the corrupt method of his countrymen, who indulged in hair-splitting, casuistry, and subtleties.
  • Extract from : « History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6) » by Heinrich Graetz
  • Moreover, this hair-splitting was considered sublimest piety, and superseded everything else.
  • Extract from : « History of the Jews, Vol. V (of 6) » by Heinrich Graetz
  • Plain and safe men never disparaged his arguments by calling them hair-splitting or metaphysical.
  • Extract from : « The Brothers' War » by John Calvin Reed
  • The man who goes to law surrenders his liberty of action and becomes the sport of chicaning lawyers and hair-splitting judges.
  • Extract from : « Mr. Fortescue » by William Westall
  • It will not be worth our while to wade through all the technical and hair-splitting discussions of these points.
  • Extract from : « A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy » by Isaac Husik
  • It is better, however, not to raise the question with beginners, since it seems to them like hair-splitting to no purpose.
  • Extract from : « The Teaching of Geometry » by David Eugene Smith

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