pilpul: Meaning and Definition of

pil•pul

Pronunciation: (pil'pool), [key]
— n.
  1. a method of disputation among rabbinical scholars regarding the interpretation of Talmudic rules and principles or Scripture that involves the development of careful and often excessively subtle distinctions.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.