Nearby Words

casuistry

[kazh-oo-uh-stree] Origin

cas·u·ist·ry

[kazh-oo-uh-stree]
noun, plural -ries.
1.
specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry.
2.
the application of general ethical principles to particular cases of conscience or conduct.

Origin:
1715–25; casuist + -ry
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Casuistry is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
Collins
World English Dictionary
casuistry (ˈkæzjʊɪstrɪ)
 
n , pl -ries
1.  philosophy the resolution of particular moral dilemmas, esp those arising from conflicting general moral rules, by careful distinction of the cases to which these rules apply
2.  reasoning that is specious, misleading, or oversubtle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

casuistry
1725, from casuist (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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