technicality

[tek-ni-kal-i-tee]

noun

plural

technicalities 

1. technical character.

2. the use of technical methods or terms.

3. something that is technical; a technical point, detail, or expression.

technicality

/ ˌtɛknɪˈkælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a petty formal point arising from a strict interpretation of rules, etc

   the case was dismissed on a technicality

2. the state or quality of being technical

3. technical methods and vocabulary

Other Word Forms

• hypertechnicality noun
• overtechnicality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of technicality¹

First recorded in 1805–15; technical + -ity

Example Sentences

It rejected slightly more than 10% on technicalities that were later resolved, and fewer than 1% because the buyer was banned.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Najim was freed due to a legal technicality, according to sources in Italy's interior ministry.

From BBC

She has garnered the support of one-time Vice DNC chair David Hogg, who decided not to run again, after the party voted to redo the vice chair election on a technicality.

From Salon

I am told it is over a technicality of being able to prove that steel has been made in the UK, rather than imported and merely tweaked – and this is harder than it may seem.

From BBC

Dr Devulapalli, who has campaigned for the party to change policy on trans people, said the Greens had made "a political move" to silence her and had found a "technicality" to expel her.

From BBC