Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.