Pettifogging

6 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, a.
     Paltry; quibbling; mean.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, n.
     Pettifoggery.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  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}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pettifog
       v : argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies"
           [syn: {quibble}, {niggle}, {bicker}, {squabble}, {brabble}]
       [also: {pettifogging}, {pettifogged}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  pettifogging
       See {pettifog}