Definition of Pettifogging

1. a. Paltry; quibbling; mean.

2. n. Pettifoggery.

Definition of Pettifogging

1. Verb. (present participle of pettifog) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pettifogging

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pettifogging

petticoat
petticoated
petticoating
petticoatless
petticoats
pettier
petties
pettiest
pettifog
pettifoged
pettifogged
pettifogger
pettifoggeries
pettifoggers
pettifoggery
pettifogging (current term)
pettifoggings
pettifoging
pettifogs
pettifogulize
pettily
pettiness
pettinesses
petting zoo
pettings
pettish
pettishly
pettishness
pettishnesses

Literary usage of Pettifogging

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American and English Encyclopedia of Law by John Houston Merrill, Charles Frederic Williams, Thomas Johnson Michie, David Shephard Garland (1892)
"pettifogging.—See note I. PEWS—(See also CEMETERIES, SOCIETIES.) I. Definition, 414. II. Rights of Pew Holders, 414. 2. Ho-w Acquired, 417. 1. ..."

2. Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms by Frederic Sturges Allen (1920)
"¡if trickery in legerdemain), hocus-pocus, pettifogging, hocus (archaic or rare), ... pettifogging ..."

3. Raising the Veil by Ball Fenner (1856)
"... Temple of Justice"—pettifogging Lawyers in search of Victims-—Deeds of Darkness done beneath the Eye of Day—Prostitution and Misery as seen through Iron ..."

4. John Bull and His Island by Max O'Rell (1884)
"Justice—Juries—Legal Proceedings—The Policeman is not Sacred —Love of pettifogging—A Bill of Costs—£500 Reward—The Shah of Persia at Newgate. ..."

5. The Inhabitants of the Philippines by Frederic Henry Read Sawyer (1900)
"... gold from Misamis —Placer gold traded away surreptitiously—Cannot be taxed— Spanish mining laws—pettifogging lawyers—Prospects for gold seekers. ..."

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