Pettifogging
['pɛtɪfɔɡɪŋ]
Definition
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Pettifog
(a.) Paltry; quibbling; mean.
(n.) Pettifoggery.
Checker: Roderick
Examples
- Rascally, pettifogging robbers! Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- You are,' continued Mr. Pickwick, resuming the thread of his discourse- -'you are a well-matched pair of mean, rascally, pettifogging robbers. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- It is all summed up in that,' rejoined Mr. Pickwick; 'they are mean, rascally, pettifogging robbers. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The pettifogging objections to some social plan had very little chance of survival owing to the dynamic power of the reformers. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
Checker: Roderick