pettifogging

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pettifogging: A term used by Chief Justice John Roberts while admonishing the House managers and Trump’s lawyers to respect the setting.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2020

The Public, doubtless, will, before long, undertake the much needed reform and abolish some of the unnecessary business of “judges’ chambers,” where the ingenuity of the Pettifogging Pleader is so marvellously displayed. 

From The Humourous Story of Farmer Bumpkin's Lawsuit by Harris, Richard

You Pettifogging Pedant Knaves, bring that Arnold matter to order, will you; you had better!—

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21 by Carlyle, Thomas

Pantagruel passed by the land of Pettifogging, and of the strange way of living among the Catchpoles.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 4 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

Steering our course forwards the next day, we passed through Pettifogging, a country all blurred and blotted, so that I could hardly tell what to make on't.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 4 by Motteux, Peter Anthony