Finesentence logo

Pettifogged: meaning, definitions and examples

⚖️
Add to dictionary

pettifogged

 

[ ˌpɛtɪˈfɔɡd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal jargon

To pettifog is to quibble or raise petty, trivial objections, often in a legal context. It derives from the notion of overly intricate or minor arguments that obscure the main point.

Synonyms

bicker, nitpick, quibble

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer pettifogged during the trial.
  • Don't pettifog; focus on the main issue.
  • The debate got bogged down in pettifogging.
  • His pettifogging annoyed everyone in the meeting.

Translations

Translations of the word "pettifogged" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fugido

🇮🇳 धोखाधड़ी करना

🇩🇪 tricksen

🇮🇩 menipu

🇺🇦 підступний

🇵🇱 oszukiwać

🇯🇵 詐欺る

🇫🇷 tromper

🇪🇸 engañar

🇹🇷 aldatmak

🇰🇷 속이다

🇸🇦 خداع

🇨🇿 podvádět

🇸🇰 podvádzať

🇨🇳 欺骗

🇸🇮 prevarati

🇮🇸 svindla

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მატყუება

🇦🇿 aldatma

🇲🇽 engañar

Etymology

The term 'pettifogged' comes from the noun 'pettifogger' which historically referred to a person who engages in petty or trivial legal disputes. This word is believed to have originated in the late 16th century, with 'petty' meaning minor or trivial, and 'fog' in this context relating to deception or trickery. The association of 'pettifoggers' with unscrupulous lawyers who would argue over trivialities to confuse or mislead has persisted. It encapsulates a sense of disdain for those who prioritize minor details over substantial issues. Over the centuries, the term evolved to describe not only legal scenarios but also general circumstances where people engage in petty arguments or distractions from the more significant matters at hand.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,691, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.