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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Pettifog

· Pet·ti·fog · IPA /ˈpɛt.iˌfɒɡ/
01 v. i. To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way.
imp. & p. p. Pettifogged; p. pr. & vb. n. Pettifogging
  1. 1.
    To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way.
  2. 2.
    To debate or quarrel over unimportant, trifling matters.
  3. 3.
    To use subterfuge, deception, or flattery for any purpose; to practice chicanery.
02 v. t. To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to pettifog a claim.
  1. 1.
    To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to pettifog a claim.[Colloq.]