small

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. "To compare Great things with small." (Milton)

2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.

3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean. "A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the reatest man." (Carlyle)

4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.

5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. "A still, small voice." Great and small,of all ranks or degrees; used especially of persons. "His quests, great and small." . Small arms, muskets, rifles, pistols, etc, in distinction from cannon. Small beer. See Beer. Small coal. Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires. Coal about the size of a hazelnut, separated from the coarser parts by screening. Small craft, various small textile articles, as tapes, braid, tringe, and the like.

Origin: OE. Small, AS. Sm$l; akin to D. Smal narrow, OS. & OHG. Smal small, G. Schmal narrow, Dan. & Sw. Smal, Goth. Smals small, Icel. Smali smal cattle, sheep, or goats; cf. Gr. A sheep or goat.

Source: Websters Dictionary

(01 Mar 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: little, size, same, quantity, degree, large, dimension, man, river, milton, being, feeble, influence, fault, business, little, worth, ability, large, mean, delineation, man, duration, time, short, space, weak, slender, fine, gentle, still, voice, ranks, degrees, persons, arms, muskets, rifles, pistols, distinction, cannon, beer, coal, little, wood, light, fires, size, parts, screening, textile, articles, tapes
Previous terms: slurry, slut, sluttish, sly, slyke, sly syndrome, sm, sma, <
Next terms: smallage, small-area analysis, small arteries, small bowel dilatation