casuistical
|cas-u-is-ti-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌkæzjuːˈɪstɪkəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌkæzjʊˈɪstɪk(ə)l/
reasoning from cases
Etymology
'casuistical' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'casuisticus', where Latin 'casus' meant 'case'.
'casuistical' changed from Medieval Latin 'casuisticus' and entered English via Late Latin/French forms related to 'casuistry' (Old French casuistique), eventually yielding the English adjective 'casuistical'.
Initially it referred specifically to reasoning about particular 'cases' in moral theology; over time it broadened and often came to mean 'subtle, specious, or hair-splitting reasoning' in general.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to casuistry — the analysis or application of moral principles to particular cases (technical, neutral).
The book offers a careful, casuistical analysis of difficult moral cases.
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Adjective 2
using specious, overly subtle, or hair-splitting reasoning to resolve moral or practical problems (pejorative).
His casuistical argument tried to justify a clear breach of the contract.
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Adjective 3
tending to make fine, subtle, or hair-splitting distinctions (neutral to negative).
The committee found the proposed rules casuistical and needlessly complex.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 03:49