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View synonyms for pettifogging

pettifogging

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

adjective

  1. insignificant; petty:

    pettifogging details.

  2. dishonest or unethical in insignificant matters; meanly petty.


pettifogging

/ ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡɪŋ /

adjective

  1. petty

    pettifogging details

  2. mean; quibbling

    pettifogging 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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of pettifogging1

First recorded in 1570–80; pettifog, -ing 2
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Example Sentences

He is only a pettifogging country Squire, whose views on the Land Question are ob-solete in tot-to.

Dare not say it is, or I will, upon the spot, divorce your pettifogging soul from your carrion carcass!

By conforming to the Laws of this Universe; instead of trying by pettifogging to evade and profitably contradict them.

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.

The pettifogging objections to some social plan had very little chance of survival owing to the dynamic power of the reformers.

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pettifoggerpettiness