noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpɛtɪˌfɒɡə/
General-American:/ˈpɛtɪˌfɑɡɚ/
General-American:/ˈpɛtɪˌfɔɡɚ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɒɡə(ɹ)
1
noun
Meaning 1
Someone who quibbles over trivia, and raises petty, annoying objections and sophistry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An unscrupulous or unethical lawyer, especially one of lesser skill.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: shyster
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
a disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: quibbler, caviller, caviler
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: malcontent
4
noun
Meaning 4
a person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: shyster
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: wrongdoer, offender
History
Etymology
petty + fogger
Across languages
Translations
40 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
буквояд
(bukvojad)
— Someone who quibbles
Bulgarian:
педант
(pedant)
— Someone who quibbles
Danish:
ordkløver
— Someone who quibbles
Dutch:
muggenzifter
— Someone who quibbles
Dutch:
mierenneuker
— Someone who quibbles
Finnish:
pilkunviilaaja
— Someone who quibbles
German:
Haarspalter
— Someone who quibbles
German:
Erbsenzähler
— Someone who quibbles
German:
Wortklauber
— Someone who quibbles
German:
Kleingeist
— Someone who quibbles
Latin:
lēgulēius
— Someone who quibbles
Norwegian Bokmål:
ordkløyver
— Someone who quibbles
Polish:
kłótnik
— Someone who quibbles
Polish:
kłótnica
— Someone who quibbles
Polish:
przechera
— Someone who quibbles
Swedish:
krångelmakare
— Someone who quibbles
Swedish:
hårklyvare
— Someone who quibbles
Chinese Mandarin:
訟棍 /讼棍
(sònggùn)
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Czech:
vinklář
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Danish:
vinkelskriver
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Danish:
lovtrækker
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Danish:
lommeprokurator
— An unscrupulous lawyer
French:
avocaillon
— An unscrupulous lawyer
French:
chicaneur
— An unscrupulous lawyer
German:
Winkeladvokat
— An unscrupulous lawyer
German:
Rechtsverdreher
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Italian:
leguleio
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Latin:
lēgulēius
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Latin:
rabula
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Norwegian Bokmål:
vinkelskriver
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Portuguese:
rábula
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
leguleyo
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
picapleitos
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
buscapleitos
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
rábula
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
soplacausas
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
abogadillo
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Spanish:
tinterillo
— An unscrupulous lawyer
Swedish:
brännvinsadvokat
— An unscrupulous lawyer
