pettifogger

The definition of a pettifogger is a lawyer who handles minor cases using unethical manors, or a cheater.

(noun)

An example of a pettifogger is someone who spends a lot of time fighting over unimportant issues in the courtroom.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See pettifogger in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a lawyer who handles petty cases, esp. one who uses unethical methods in conducting trumped-up cases
  2. a trickster; cheater
  3. a quibbler; caviler

Origin: petty + obs. fogger < ?

Related Forms:

See pettifogger in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A petty, quibbling, unscrupulous lawyer.
  2. One who quibbles over trivia.

Origin:

Origin: Probably petty

Origin: + obsolete fogger, pettifogger

.

Related Forms:

  • petˈti·fogˌger·y noun

Learn more about pettifogger

link/cite print suggestion box