word-splitting love

Definitions

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun making too fine distinctions of little importance

Etymologies

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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

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