Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pettifog
Pet′ti-fog
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Pettifogged
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Pettifogging
.] [
Petty
+ fog
to pettifog.] 1.
To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business in a petty or tricky way.
“He takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.” S. Butler.
Pet′ti-fog
,Verb.
T.
To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily;
as, to
. pettifog
a claim[Colloq.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Pettifog
PET'TIFOG
,Verb.
I.
To do small business; as a lawyer. [Vulgar.]