Pettiness
[pet-ee] /ˈpɛt i/
adjective, pettier, pettiest.
1.
of little or no importance or consequence:
petty grievances.
2.
of lesser or secondary importance, merit, etc.; minor:
petty considerations.
3.
having or showing narrow ideas, interests, etc.:
petty minds.
4.
mean or ungenerous in small or trifling things:
a petty person.
5.
showing or caused by meanness of spirit:
a petty revenge.
6.
of secondary rank, especially in relation to others of the same class or kind:
petty states; a petty tyrant.
/ˈpɛtɪ/
adjective -tier, -tiest
1.
trivial; trifling; inessential: petty details
2.
of a narrow-minded, mean, or small-natured disposition or character: petty spite
3.
minor or subordinate in rank: petty officialdom
4.
(law) of lesser importance
adj.
late 14c., “small,” from phonemic spelling of Old French petit “small” (see petit). In English, not originally disparaging (cf. petty cash, 1834; petty officer, 1570s). Meaning “of small importance” is recorded from 1520s; that of “small-minded” is from 1580s. Related: Pettily; pettiness. An old name for “Northern Lights” was petty dancers.
Read Also:
- Pettily
[pet-ee] /ˈpɛt i/ adjective, pettier, pettiest. 1. of little or no importance or consequence: petty grievances. 2. of lesser or secondary importance, merit, etc.; minor: petty considerations. 3. having or showing narrow ideas, interests, etc.: petty minds. 4. mean or ungenerous in small or trifling things: a petty person. 5. showing or caused by meanness […]
- Petting
[pet-ing] /ˈpɛt ɪŋ/ noun 1. Informal. kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve sexual intercourse. Compare . [pet] /pɛt/ noun 1. any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately. 2. a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite: He was the teacher’s pet. 3. […]
- Petting-zoo
noun 1. a zoo, or a special part of a larger zoo, where children may hold and stroke and sometimes feed small or young animals.
- Pettish
[pet-ish] /ˈpɛt ɪʃ/ adjective 1. petulantly peevish: a pettish refusal. /ˈpɛtɪʃ/ adjective 1. peevish; petulant: a pettish child adj. 1550s, “impetuous,” evidently from pet (n.2) in its “ill humor” sense + -ish. Meaning “peevish, easily annoyed” is from 1590s. It has naturally been assoc. with PET sb.1, as being a characteristic habit of a “pet” […]
- Pettipants
[pet-ee-pants] /ˈpɛt iˌpænts/ noun, (used with a plural verb) 1. close-fitting, dress-length panties, sometimes trimmed with lace or ruffles on the legs.