petty

Pluralpetties

1. 1
   narrow-mindedadjectivederogatory

   Caring too much about small things, and not kind or generous to others.

   It was petty of him to count every fry he gave me.

   Don't be petty about who paid for the last pizza.

   Similargrudging

   Oppositebroad-minded

   Note
2. 2
   unimportantadjectivederogatory

   Small and not important.

   The kids had a petty fight over who got the front seat.

   Don't worry about such a petty mistake.

   Similarminor, insignificant, negligible, inconsequential, paltry

   Oppositeimportant, significant, major, serious

   Note
3. 3
   out of spiteadjectivederogatorycolloquial

   Ready to be mean to someone to get back at them for something small.

   My sister is so petty. I ate one of her cookies, so she hid my phone.

   He unfollowed me because I beat him at chess. That's petty!

   Similarvindictive, vengeful

   Oppositemagnanimous, gracious, generous

   Note
4. 4
   lower rankadjective

   Less important or lower in rank than others.

   My grandfather was a petty officer in the navy.

   The petty chiefs had to obey the king.

   Similarminor, lesser, junior, subordinate

   Oppositegrand, high

   Note
5. 5
   small in sizeadjective

   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.

   c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”Here, petty means small, so a small, slow pace.

   Similarsmall, little, wee, slight, undersized

   Oppositelarge, big

   Note
6. 6
   outdoor toiletnoundialectaleuphemisticcountable

   A polite word for a small toilet in a hut outside the house.

   Before the house had a bathroom, the family used a petty out back.

   The landlord promised to clean the petties behind the cottages.

   Similarouthouse, privy

   Note
7. 7
   adjectivehistorical

   Having to do with the first and lowest level of school.

   At seven, Tom started at the petty school in his village.

   [B]y the assistance of that truly Christian gentlewoman, the Lady Elizabeth Hastings, he increased the number of petty schools throughout the island.

   1846, William Henry Teale, “The Life of Thomas Wilson, D.D., Bishop of Sodor and Man”Here, petty schools means schools of the first and lowest level.

   Similarelementary, primary

   Note
8. 8
   nounhistoricalcountable

   A class or school for little boys.

   He was only six when he started in the petty.

   The petty met in a small room next to the church.

   Note

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