petty

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Having little or no importance.

   • a petty fault    petty squabbles
   • I could have liv'd like Hengiſt, King of Kent, / London, York, Lincoln, and VVincheſter, / Under the povver of my Command, the portion / Of my moſt juſt deſert, enjoyed novv / By pettier Deſervers.
2. 2

   Of persons or their behaviour

   Of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views; begrudging, selfish, small-minded; also, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns.

   • Such literature may well be anathema to those who are too docile and petty for their own good.
   • That corporation is only slightly pettier than they are greedy, and they are overdue to reap the consequences.
   • [C]ommonly, it is leſſe diſhonourable, to abridge pettie Charges, then to ſtoope to pettie Gettings.
3. 3

   Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances

   Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive.

   • My cousin is so petty—I forgot his birthday and he's been making snarky comments all week.
   • Your manager is just being petty. Ignore her silly provocations.
4. ›+ 7 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school

      Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.

      • [T]he feoffees should cause the boys to be put to some petty school to learn to read English till they attain 13, and to instruct them in some part of God's true religion.
   2. 5

      Little or small in size.

      • To morrow, and to morrow, and to morrow, / Creepes in this petty pace from day to day, / To the laſt Syllable of Recorded time: / And all our yeſterdayes, haue lighted Fooles / The way to duſty death.
   3. 6

      Secondary in importance or rank

      Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.

      • petty cash    petty officer
      • 3. Out[law]. […] My ſelfe vvas from Verona baniſhed, / For practiſing to ſteale avvay a Lady, / And heire and Neece, alide vnto the Duke. / […] / 1. Out[law]. And I, for ſuch like petty crimes as theſe.
   4. 7

      An outbuilding used as a lavatory

      An outbuilding used as a lavatory; an outhouse, a privy.

      • Cottages occupied by Betty Hines and others; petty in a very filthy state, wants walling. Two petties belonging to Mr. James Parr to be walled, and one next Thomas Wilkinson's to be removed further off.
   5. 8

      A class or school for young schoolboys.

   6. 9

      A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.

   7. 10

      A surname.

The neighborhood

• neighborquibble