word-splitting

“It is full of word-splitting and conjuring with terms, and abounds in natural history facts.”

The Last Harvest

“We have trudged at your bidding thousands of weary miles, for an end you made impossible by your word-splitting cowardice.”

'That Very Mab'

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“Don't think I am given to word-splitting, Mr. Rangely, but I've no wish to _secure_ it.”

The Puritans