Dictionary entry

Pilpul

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pil″pul (?), n. [Aramaic pilpūl; cf. Heb. pilpel to spice, to season, dispute violently.] Among the Jews, penetrating investigation, disputation, and drawing of conclusions, esp. in Talmudic study. — Pil″pul‐ist (#), n. — Pil′pul‐is″tic (#), a.