casuist Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
    sophist.

WordNet

Cas"u*ist noun
Etymology
L. casus fall, case; cf. F. casuiste. See Casual.
Definitions
  1. One who is skilled in, or given to, casuistry.
    The judment of any casuist or learned divine concerning the state of a man's soul, is not sufficient to give him confidence. South.
Cas"u*ist intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To play the casuist. Milton.

Webster 1913