I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
: making excessively fine or trivial distinctions in reasoning
ancient hairsplitting technicalities of special pleading — Charles Sumner
tricky hairsplitting statesmen — Weston La Barre
II. noun
: hairsplitting reasoning or argument
an excessive penchant for intellectual and verbal hairsplitting — J.W.Beach