Making too fine distinctions of little importance(noun)
WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.
Use "word-splitting" in a sentence
"It is full of word-splitting and conjuring with terms, and abounds in natural history facts."
"We have trudged at your bidding thousands of weary miles, for an end you made impossible by your word-splitting cowardice."
"It depends only on how soon our brother Philometor -- who fought like a lion this morning -- perceives that he is more fit to be a commander of horse, a lute-player, an attentive host of word-splitting guests -- than the ruler of a kingdom."