petty
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle French petit, English since the late 14th century. The disparaging meaning develops during the 16th century.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
petty (comparative pettier or more petty, superlative pettiest or most petty)
- (obsolete except in set phrases) little, small, secondary in rank or importance
- Like a petty god I walked about, admired of all. (Milton, Samson Agonistes, 1671)
- petty officer, petty cash
- insignificant, trifling, or inconsiderable
- a petty fault
- narrow-minded, small-minded
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:insignificant
[edit] Translations
Little, trifling, or inconsiderable, as a petty fault
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[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- petty in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- petty in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
