Example sentences from the Web for pettifogger

He perhaps mistakes me for what you call a—a pettifogger, is it not?
A Daughter of the Dons|William MacLeod Raine
Pettifogger, pet′i-fog-ėr, n. a lawyer who practises only in paltry cases.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various
He is always bringing writs of error, like a pettifogger, and reversing of judgments, though the case be never so plain.
Character Writings of the 17th Century|Various
The pettifogger capitulates to his invincible adversary, and acknowledges in him one whose dogmas it were irreverent to doubt.
The Knickerbocker, Vol. 10, No. 3, September 1837|Various

This lawyer, Overend by name, was a sort of pettifogger, who laid himself out for poor men's work.
The Life of Thomas Wanless, Peasant|Alexander Johnstone Wilson

pettifogger

/ (ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə) /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pettifogger ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a lawyer of inferior status who conducts unimportant cases, esp one who is unscrupulous or resorts to trickery

any person who quibbles or fusses over details

Derived forms of pettifogger

pettifoggery, noun

Word Origin for pettifogger

C16: from petty + fogger, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Fugger, name of a family (C15–16) of German financiers

Words nearby pettifogger

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

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