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petty

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Petty is defined as something relatively worthless or unimportant.

(adjective)

An example of petty is cash kept on hand for very small purchases.

The definition of petty is someone who gets caught up in small details.

(adjective)

An example of petty is a person who gets very angry when someone accidentally steps on their foot.

Petty means a lower-ranking member of the military.

(adjective)

An example of petty is a private to a lieutenant.

See petty in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective pettier, pettiest

relatively worthless or unimportant; trivial; insignificant
small-scale; minor
1. having or showing a tendency to make much of small matters
2. small-minded; mean, narrow, ungenerous, etc.
relatively low in rank; subordinate

Origin: ME pety < OFr petit < *pit-, little < baby talk

Related Forms:

pettily adverb
pettiness noun

See petty in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective pet·ti·er, pet·ti·est

Of small importance; trivial: a petty grievance.
Marked by narrowness of mind, ideas, or views.
Marked by meanness or lack of generosity, especially in trifling matters.
Secondary in importance or rank; subordinate. See Synonyms at trivial.
Law Variant of petit.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English peti

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , variant of petit; see petit

Related Forms:

petˈti·ly adverb

petˈti·ness noun

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