Small beer

small beer
    n 1: something of small importance [syn: {triviality}, {trivia},
         {trifle}, {small beer}]
    

Small \Small\ (sm[add]l), a. [Compar. {Smaller}
   (sm[add]l"[~e]r); superl. {Smallest}.] [OE. small, AS. smael;
   akin to D. smal narrow, OS. & OHG. smal small, G. schmal
   narrow, Dan. & Sw. smal, Goth. smals small, Icel. smali small
   cattle, sheep, or goats; cf. Gr. mh^lon a sheep or goat.]
   1. Having little size, compared with other things of the same
      kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large
      or extended in dimension; not great; not much;
      inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river.
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            To compare
            Great things with small.              --Milton.
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   2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or
      importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a
      small fault; a small business.
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   3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; --
      sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
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            A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of
            interesting the greatest man.         --Carlyle.
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   4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short;
      as, after a small space. --Shak.
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   5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. "A still,
      small voice." --1 Kings xix. 12.
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   {Great and small},of all ranks or degrees; -- used especially
      of persons. "His quests, great and small." --Chaucer.

   {Small arms}, muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., in distinction
      from cannon.

   {Small beer}. See under {Beer}.

   {Small coal}.
      (a) Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires.
          --Gay.
      (b) Coal about the size of a hazelnut, separated from the
          coarser parts by screening.

   {Small craft} (Naut.), a vessel, or vessels in general, of a
      small size.

   {Small fruits}. See under {Fruit}.

   {Small hand}, a certain size of paper. See under {Paper}.

   {Small hours}. See under {Hour}.

   {Small letter}. (Print.), a lower-case letter. See
      {Lower-case}, and {Capital letter}, under {Capital}, a.

   {Small piece}, a Scotch coin worth about 21/4d. sterling, or
      about 41/2cents.

   {Small register}. See the Note under 1st {Register}, 7.

   {Small stuff} (Naut.), spun yarn, marline, and the smallest
      kinds of rope. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

   {Small talk}, light or trifling conversation; chitchat.

   {Small wares} (Com.), various small textile articles, as
      tapes, braid, tringe, and the like. --M`Culloch.
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Beer \Beer\, n. [OE. beor, ber, AS. be['o]r; akin to Fries.
   biar, Icel. bj?rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E.
   brew. [root]93, See {Brew}.]
   1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but
      commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other
      substance to impart a bitter flavor.
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   Note: Beer has different names, as {small beer}, {ale},
         {porter}, {brown stout}, {lager beer}, according to its
         strength, or other qualities. See {Ale}.
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   2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of
      various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
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   {Small beer}, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. "To
      suckle fools, and chronicle small beer." --Shak.
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