Definitions
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun making too fine distinctions of little importance
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word word-splitting.
Examples
-
It is full of word-splitting and conjuring with terms, and abounds in natural history facts.
The Last Harvest John Burroughs 1879
-
We have trudged at your bidding thousands of weary miles, for an end you made impossible by your word-splitting cowardice.
'That Very Mab' Andrew Lang 1878
-
It depends only on how soon our brother Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom.
Complete Project Gutenberg Georg Ebers Works Georg Ebers 1867
-
Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom.
The Sisters — Complete Georg Ebers 1867
-
It depends only on how soon our brother Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom.
The Sisters — Volume 5 Georg Ebers 1867
-
It depends only on how soon our brother Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom.
The Sisters — Volume 5 Georg Ebers 1867
-
It depends only on how soon our brother Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom.
The Sisters — Volume 5 Georg Ebers 1867
-
Callicles exhibits great ability in defending himself and attacking Socrates, whom he accuses of trifling and word-splitting; he is scandalized that the legitimate consequences of his own argument should be stated in plain terms; after the manner of men of the world, he wishes to preserve the decencies of life.
Gorgias 427? BC-347? BC Plato 1855
-
As in the opening of the Dialogue he ridicules the interpreters of mythology; as in the Protagoras he mocks at the Sophists; as in the Euthydemus he makes fun of the word-splitting
Phaedrus 427? BC-347? BC Plato 1855
-
Rushublican party with its most visible mass media symbol repeatedly leading what now seems to be a virtual litmus test mantra of hoping President Barack Obama will fail (a mantra now cushioned with word-splitting qualifiers to allow plausible deniability that will mean little to many voters who have lost their homes and jobs).
The Moderate Voice 2009
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.