Lexic.us

Definition of Pettifogger

1. Noun. A person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods.

2. Noun. A disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections.

Definition of Pettifogger

1. n. A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer.

Definition of Pettifogger

1. Noun. Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections. ¹

2. Noun. An unscrupulous or unethical lawyer, especially one of lesser skill. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pettifogger

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pettifogger

petterdite petters petti pettichaps petticoat petticoated petticoating petticoatless petticoats pettier

petties pettiest pettifog pettifoged pettifogged pettifogger (current term) pettifoggeries pettifoggers pettifoggery pettifogging

pettifoggings pettifoging pettifogs pettifogulize pettily pettiness pettinesses petting zoo pettings

Literary usage of Pettifogger

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Wit and Humor of Bench and Bar by Marshall Brown (1899)
"pettifogger and Shyster.—The late EG Ryan, of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, was a jurist of great ability. Fearless independence and a terrible vigor of ..."

2. Reminiscences: Personal and Other Incidents ; Early Settlement of Otsego by Levi Beardsley (1852)
"Encounter with a pettifogger.— Justice insulted for not appreciating public sentiment.— Dutch Justice commits for contempt.—Charge of Witch,- craft and ..."

3. The Poems of Philip Freneau: Poet of the American Revolution by Philip Morin Freneau, Fred Lewis Pattee (1907)
"... THE pettifogger,1 or Fee Simple, Esquire In a town I could mention, a lawyer resided As cunning as Satan, and fond of disputes; In wrangles and quarrels ..."

4. The Poems of Philip Freneau: Poet of the American Revolution by Philip Morin Freneau, Fred Lewis Pattee (1907)
"... THE pettifogger,1 or Fee Simple, Esquire In a town I could mention, a lawyer resided As cunning as Satan, and fond of disputes; In wrangles and quarrels ..."

5. Westminster Hall, Or, Professional Relics and Anecdotes of the Bar, Bench by Henry Roscoe, Thomas Roscoe (1825)
"CHARACTER OF A pettifogger. " He promotes quarrels, and in a long vacation his sport is to go a fishing with the penal statutes. ..."

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