v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Pettifogged p. pr. & vb. n. Pettifogging ] [ Petty + fog to pettifog. ] 1. To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way. “He takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.” S. Butler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To debate or quarrel over unimportant, trifling matters. [ PJC ]

3. To use subterfuge, deception, or flattery for any purpose; to practice chicanery. [ PJC ]

v. t. To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to pettifog a claim. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer. [ 1913 Webster ]

A pettifogger was lord chancellor. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. pettifoggeries The practice or arts of a pettifogger; disreputable tricks; quibbles; chicanery. [ 1913 Webster ]

Quirks of law, and pettifoggeries. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Paltry; quibbling; mean. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Pettifoggery. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as a pettifogger; to use contemptible tricks. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]