Pettifog \Pet"ti*fog\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pettifogged; p. pr.
& vb. n. Pettifogging.] [Petty + fog to pettifog.]
1. To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law
business in a petty or tricky way. "He takes no money, but
pettifogs gratis." --S. Butler.
[1913 Webster]
2. To debate or quarrel over unimportant, trifling matters.
[PJC]
3. To use subterfuge, deception, or flattery for any purpose;
to practice chicanery.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, a.
Paltry; quibbling; mean.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, n.
Pettifoggery.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
pettifogging
adj : quibbling over insignificant details; "caviling pettifoggers
and quiggling pleaders"-Edmund Burke; "her nagging and
carping attack"; "thought her editor unnecessarily
nitpicking"; "a pettifogging lawyer's mind"; "had no
patience with quibbling critics" [syn: caviling, carping,
nitpicking, quibbling]
WordNet (r) 2.0
pettifog
v : argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies"
[syn: quibble, niggle, bicker, squabble, brabble]
[also: pettifogging, pettifogged]
WordNet (r) 2.0
pettifogging
See pettifog
WordNet (r) 2.0
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