Refinement in argument or speculation; (excessive) use of fine distinctions. Cf. subtlety, n. 6b.

Refinement in argument or speculation; (excessive) use of fine distinctions; = subtlety, n. 6b.

Subtlety; over-refinement. Obsolete.

An objection made in scholastic disputation. Chiefly in ob and sol n. also obs and sols scholastic disputation, subtle debate. Cf. ob-and-soller, n.

Care or attention carried to excess or unduly bestowed upon matters of inferior moment. Unduly minute or subtle treatment; nicety, subtlety. Obsolete.

(a) Arguing, quibbling, wrangling. (b) Logical conclusions.

Refinement; (also) a refinement. Obsolete (regional in later use).

Excessive subtlety.

Pedantic adherence to logically constructed rules.

Refinement (of thought or argument); perspicacity (of intellect). Cf. subtlety, n. 5 subtlety, n. 6b. Now rare.

Subtle or keen rabbinical argumentation; an instance of this. In extended use: unprofitable argument, quibbling.