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pettifog. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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pettifog in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Alternative forms
pettyfog, petty-fog
Etymology
Back-formation from pettifogger.
Pronunciation
Verb
pettifog (third-person singular simple present pettifogs, present participle pettifogging, simple past and past participle pettifogged)
- (intransitive) To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick.
- Don't pettifog or we will soon grow weary.
1959 April 24, Walt Kelly, Pogo, comic strip, →ISBN, page 35:[Deacon Mushrat to Pogo:] The Machiavellian barratry of a pettifogging public has maundered into do-nothingism.
- (intransitive) To do a petty business as a lawyer, or carry out law business in a petty or tricky way.
- S. Butler
- He is a common barreter for his pleasure, that takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.
Synonyms
Related terms