picayune

English

Pronunciation

• enPR: ʹpĭk'ə'yo͝on, IPA^(key): /ˌpɪkəˈjuːn/
• Rhymes: -uːn

Adjective

picayune (comparative more picayune, superlative most picayune)

1. Petty, trivial; of little consequence; small and of little importance; picayunish;
   • 2005, New York Times, November 17, 2005

     "It might seem like a picayune matter, akin to the rivalry in the film "Monty Python's Life of Brian" between the Judean People's Front, the Judean Popular People's Front and the People's Front of Judea."

2. something not worth arguing about.
3. an argument, fact, corner case, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue at hand or does not change a primary supposition, outcome, postulate, premise, conclusion, hypothesis, judgment or recommendation;
4. small-minded: being childishly spiteful, tending to go on about unimportant things.

Synonyms

• petty, trivial

Noun

picayune (plural picayunes)

1. (US, archaic) A small coin of the value of six and a quarter cents; a fippenny bit.
2. A five-cent piece.
3. Something of very little value; a trifle: not worth a picayune.

Translations

A small coin of the value of six and a quarter cents.

• Dutch: Spaans-Amerikaans.e muntstukje

A five-cent piece.

• Dutch: 5 cent muntstuk

Something of very little value.

• Dutch: minnetjes (nl), onbenulligheid

See also

• Picayune on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Picayune in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.