small stuff

small stuff
    n 1: any light rope used on shipboard
    

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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Stuff \Stuff\, n. [OF. estoffe, F. ['e]toffe; of uncertain
   origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t.
   Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.]
   1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of
      manufacture.
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            For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the
            work to make it, and too much.        --Ex. xxxvi.
                                                  7.
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            Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. --Shak.
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            The workman on his stuff his skill doth show,
            And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. --Sir
                                                  J. Davies.
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   2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up;
      elemental part; essence.
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            Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience
            To do no contrived murder.            --Shak.
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   3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind;
      specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or
      worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.
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            What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?     --Shak.
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            It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though,
            superior kinds were of silk exclusively. --F. G.
                                                  Lee.
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   4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.
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            He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
                                                  --Hayward.
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   5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak.
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   6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or
      irrational language; nonsense; trash.
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            Anger would indite
            Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write. --Dryden.
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   7. (Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with
      which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared
      for lubrication.                            --Ham. Nav.
                                                  Encyc.
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   8. Paper stock ground ready for use.
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   Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight.
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   {Clear stuff}. See under {Clear}.

   {Small stuff} (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham.
      Nav. Encyc.

   {Stuff gown}, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister;
      hence, a junior barrister himself. See {Silk gown}, under
      {Silk}.
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