a. 1. petty, trivial, or inconsequential. [ PJC ]
2. Excessively demanding of time or attention; as, niggling little details. [ PJC ]
n. Finicky or pottering work; specif. (Fine Arts), Minute and very careful workmanship in drawing, painting, or the like, esp. when bestowed on unimportant detail. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]