from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Petty \Pet"ty\ (p[e^]t"t[y^]), a. [Compar. {Pettier}
(p[e^]t"t[i^]*[~e]r); superl. {Pettiest}.] [OE. petit, F.
petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E. piece. Cf.
{Petit}.]
Little; trifling; inconsiderable; unimportant; also,
inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; petty complaints; a
petty prince. --Denham.
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Like a petty god
I walked about, admired of all. --Milton.
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{Petty averages}. See under {Average}.
{Petty cash}, money expended or received in small items or
amounts.
{Petty officer}, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc.,
corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.
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Note: For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty
treason, See {Petit}.
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Syn: Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling;
trivial; unimportant; frivolous.
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