— captiously , adv. — captiousness , n.
/kap"sheuhs/ , adj.
1. apt to notice and make much of trivial faults or defects; faultfinding; difficult to please.
2. proceeding from a faultfinding or caviling disposition: He could never praise without adding a captious remark.
3. apt or designed to ensnare or perplex, esp. in argument: captious questions.
[ 1350-1400; ME capcious captiosus sophistical, equiv. to capti ( o ) a taking, hence, sophism (see CAPTION) + -osus -OUS ]
Syn. 1. carping, nitpicking, niggling, picky, testy.