pettifogger

noun pet·ti·fog·ger \ˈpe-tē-ˌfȯ-gər, -ˌfä-\

Definition of PETTIFOGGER

: a lawyer whose methods are petty, underhanded, or disreputable : shyster

: one given to quibbling over trifles

— pet·ti·fog·ging \-giŋ\ adjective or noun

— pet·ti·fog·gery \-g(ə-)rē\ noun

probably from petty + obsolete English fogger pettifogger

First Known Use: 1564

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