Pilpul \Pil"pul\, n. [Aramaic pilp[=u]l; 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. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]