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third-person singular simple present pettifogs, present participle pettifogging, simple past and past participle pettifogged
To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick. quotations examples
[Deacon Mushrat to Pogo:] The Machiavellian barratry of a pettifogging public has maundered into do-nothingism.
1959 April 24, Walt Kelly, Pogo, comic strip, page 35
To do a petty business as a lawyer, or carry out law business in a petty or tricky way. quotations examples
He is a common barreter for his pleasure, that takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.
S. Butler