Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAP'TIOUS, a. [L. captiosus, from capto, to catch.]

1. Disposed to find fault, or raise objections; apt to cavil, as in popular language, it is said, apt to catch at; as, a captious man.
2. Fitted to catch or insnare; insidious; as, a captious question. – Locke.
3. Proceeding from a caviling disposition; as, a captious objection or criticism.