casuistic
adj/ˌkæzjuˈɪstɪk/ · /ˌkæʒuˈɪstɪk/
Etymology From casuist + -ic.
1
Of or related to casuistry, attempting to solve moral dilemmas by application of general rules.
2
Similar to the arguments of casuists, particularly (figurative, derogatory) overly subtle, hair-splitting.
- 1855, Sir Richard Burton, Personal Narrative of a Pilgrimage to Al-Madinah and Meccah These subjects have exercised not a little the casuistic talents of the Arab doctors: a folio volume might be filled with differences of opinion on the subject, "Is a blind man sound?"
- Synonyms
- casuistical, hair-splitting
- Derived terms
- casuistically, casuistics