hairsplitter
noun
hair·split·ter ˈher-ˌspli-tər 
: one that makes excessively fine distinctions in reasoning
hairsplitting
ˈher-ˌspli-tiŋ
adjective or noun 
Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined above
hairsplitter
noun
as in criticaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- criticaster
- quibbler
- pettifogger
- purist
- perfectionist
- teacher
- didact
- faultfinder
- instructor
- educator
- schoolteacher
- pedagogue
- pedant
- preceptor
- pedagog
- educationist
- academic
- critic
- academician
- academe
