WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
pil•pul
(pil′pŏŏl),USA pronunciation n.
pil′pul•ist, n.
pil′pul•is′tic, adj.
- Judaisma method of disputation among rabbinical scholars regarding the interpretation of Talmudic rules and principles or Scripture that involves the development of careful and often excessively subtle distinctions.
- Aramaic, Hebrew pilpūl, akin to pilpēl to search, debate
- 1890–95
pil′pul•is′tic, adj.