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Noun: pettifogger  'pe-ti,fó-gu(r)
Usage: archaic
  1. A person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
    "The pettifogger lawyer was known for taking advantage of vulnerable clients";
    - shyster [informal]
     
  2. A disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections
    "The pettifogger's constant nitpicking slowed down the meeting";
    - quibbler, caviller [Brit, Cdn], caviler [US]

Derived forms: pettifoggers

Type of: malcontent, offender, wrongdoer

Encyclopedia: Pettifogger