Search Result for "hairsplitting": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (1)

1. making too fine distinctions of little importance;
- Example: "they didn't take his hairsplitting seriously"
[syn: hairsplitting, word-splitting]


ADJECTIVE (1)

1. developed in excessively fine detail;
- Example: "finespun distinctions"
[syn: finespun, hairsplitting]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hairsplitting \Hair"split`ting\ (-t[i^]ng), a.
   Making excessively fine or trivial distinctions in reasoning;
   overly subtle. -- n. The act or practice of making trivial
   distinctions.
   [1913 Webster]

         The ancient hairsplitting technicalities of special
         pleading.                                --Charles
                                                  Sumner.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

hairsplitting
    adj 1: developed in excessively fine detail; "finespun
           distinctions" [syn: finespun, hairsplitting]
    n 1: making too fine distinctions of little importance; "they
         didn't take his hairsplitting seriously" [syn:
         hairsplitting, word-splitting]