Sekirov Dictionary

petty

/ˈpɛt.i/

adjective 6
noun 3
forms 5

adjective6

•
small and not important
- petty squabbles
•
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.
•
(informal) 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.
•
Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.
- Fearless of danger, like a petty God / I walk'd about admir'd of all and dreaded / On hostile ground, none daring my affront. — 1671
•
(historical) 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. — 1819
•
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. — 1606

noun3

(dialect, informal) An outbuilding used as a lavatory; an outhouse, a privy.
(historical) A class or school for young schoolboys.
[in the plural] (no longer used) A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.

forms

petties · more petty · pettier · most petty · pettiest

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