hairsplitter

noun

hair·split·ter ˈher-ˌspli-tər

: one that makes excessively fine distinctions in reasoning

hairsplitting

ˈher-ˌspli-tiŋ

adjective or noun

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hairsplitter was in 1849

See more words from the same year

Style

“Hairsplitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hairsplitter. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

hairsplitter

noun

hair·split·ter ˈha(ə)r-ˌsplit-ər

: a person who argues about differences too small to be important

hairsplitting

-ˌsplit-iŋ

adjective or noun

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