small
1. small \'smo.l\ aj [ME smal, fr. OE sml; akin to OHG smal small, L
m]alus bad 1a: having comparatively little size 1b: LOWERCASE 2a: minor
in influence, power, or rank 2b: operating on a limited scale 3: lacking
in strength 4a: measurably little (as in quantity, amount, value) 4b:
made up of few or little units 5a: of little consequence : TRIVIAL,
INSIGNIFICANT 5b: HUMBLE, MODEST 6: limited in degree : TRIFLING 7a:
MEAN, PETTY 7b: HUMILIATED , TINY, MINIATURE, WEE mean noticeably below
average in size. SMALL and LITTLE are often interchangeable, but SMALL
applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number; LITTLE
is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness,
pettiness, insignificance, immaturity; DIMINUTIVE implies abnormal
smallness; MINUTE implies extreme smallness; PETITE applies chiefly to
girls and women and implies marked but not abnormal smallness and trimness
of figure; TINY is an informal equivalent to MINUTE; MINIATURE applies to
an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale; WEE is homely
or dialect for DIMINUTIVE - small.ness n SYN syn SMALL, LITTLE, DIMINUTIVE,
MINUTE, PETITE
2. small av 1: in or into small pieces 2: without force or loudness 3: in
a small manner
3. small n 1: a part smaller and esp. narrower than the remainder {the ~ of
th e back} pl 2a: small-sized products pl, Brit 2b: SMALLCLOTHES