technicality
UK: ˌteknɪˈkæləti | US: ˌteknɪˈkæləti
n. 1. A minor detail or formal point, especially one regarded as overly complex or trivial.
n. 2. The quality or state of being technical; technical character.
technicality = technic<skill> + al<adjective suffix> + ity<noun suffix>
- technic (from Greek tekhnē <art, skill>): Refers to methods or expertise in a field.
- al (Latin-derived suffix): Forms adjectives meaning "relating to."
- ity (Latin-derived suffix): Forms nouns indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word technicality traces back to the Greek tekhnē (art, skill), which evolved into Latin technicus (pertaining to art). The suffix -al (via Latin -alis) was added to form technical, meaning "related to specialized knowledge." Finally, -ity (Latin -itas) nominalized it, creating technicality—originally denoting technical character, later narrowing to focus on trivial details within technical systems.
The case was dismissed on a legal technicality.
He avoided answering by hiding behind a technicality.
The manual is full of unnecessary technicalities.
Her argument relied heavily on a minor technicality.
The contract was voided due to a procedural technicality.