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Webster 1913 Edition

Casuistry

Cas′u-ist-ry

,
Adj.
1.
The science or doctrine of dealing with cases of conscience, of resolving questions of right or wrong in conduct, or determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do by rules and principles drawn from the Scriptures, from the laws of society or the church, or from equity and natural reason; the application of general moral rules to particular cases.
The consideration of these nice and puzzling question in the science of ethics has given rise, in modern times, to a particular department of it, distinguished by the title of
casuistry
.
Stewart.
Casuistry
in the science of cases (i.e., oblique deflections from the general rule).
De Quincey.
2.
Sophistical, equivocal, or false reasoning or teaching in regard to duties, obligations, and morals.

Webster 1828 Edition

Casuistry

CASUISTRY

,
Noun.
The science or doctrine of cases of conscience; the science of resolving cases of doubtful propriety, or of determining the lawfulness or unlawfulness of what a man may do, by rules and principles drawn from the scriptures, from the laws of society, or from equity and natural reason.
Casus foederia. The case stipulated by treaty; that which comes within the terms of compact.

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