Crossword Genius

Louse-egg chosen to be pettily criticised (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nitpicked

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'pettily criticised' is the definition.
'nitpicked' can be an answer for 'criticised' (nitpicking is a kind of criticizing). I'm not sure about the 'pettily' bit.

'louse-egg chosen' is the wordplay.
'louse-egg' becomes 'nit' (I've seen this before).
'chosen' becomes 'picked' (picking is a kind of choosing).
'nit'+'picked'='NITPICKED'

'to be' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nitpicked that I've seen before include "Quibbled" , "Made petty criticisms" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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