pettifogging

[ pet-ee-fog-ing, -faw-ging ]

/ ˈpɛt iˌfɒg ɪŋ, -ˌfɔ gɪŋ /

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See synonyms for pettifogging on Thesaurus.com

adjective

insignificant; petty: pettifogging details.

dishonest or unethical in insignificant matters; meanly petty.

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Origin of pettifogging

First recorded in 1570–80; see origin at pettifog, -ing²

Words nearby pettifogging

petticoated, petticoat insulator, petticoat narcissus, pettifog, pettifogger, pettifogging, pettiness, petting, petting zoo, pettipants, pettish

How to use pettifogging in a sentence

He is only a pettifogging country Squire, whose views on the Land Question are ob-solete in tot-to.
Mushroom Town|Oliver Onions
Dare not say it is, or I will, upon the spot, divorce your pettifogging soul from your carrion carcass!
The Fortunes of Nigel|Sir Walter Scott
By conforming to the Laws of this Universe; instead of trying by pettifogging to evade and profitably contradict them.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
I think you're nothing but a pettifogging lawyer—that there ain't no partner, and I'm no better'n a fool to talk to you.
Max Fargus|Owen Johnson

The pettifogging objections to some social plan had very little chance of survival owing to the dynamic power of the reformers.
A Preface to Politics|Walter Lippmann

British Dictionary definitions for pettifogging

pettifogging

/ (ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡɪŋ) /

adjective

pettypettifogging details

mean; quibblingpettifogging lawyers

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pettifogging

Origin of pettifogging

Words nearby pettifogging

Words related to pettifogging

How to use pettifogging in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pettifogging