small

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English smal, from Old English smæl; akin to Old High German smal small, Greek mēlon small domestic animal Date: before 12th century 1. a. having comparatively little size or slight dimensions b. lowercase 2. a. minor in influence, power, or rank b. operating on a limited scale 3. lacking in strength <

a small voice

> 4. a. little or close to zero in an objectively measurable aspect (as quantity, amount, or value) b. made up of few or little units 5. a. of little consequence ; trivial, insignificant <

a small problem

> b. humble, modest <

a small beginning

> 6. limited in degree 7. a. mean, petty b. reduced to a humiliating position • smallish adjective • smallness noun Synonyms: small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number <

a relatively small backyard

>. little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity <

your pathetic little smile

>. diminutive implies abnormal smallness <

diminutive bonsai plants

>. minute implies extreme smallness <

a minute amount of caffeine in the soda

>. tiny is an informal equivalent to minute <

tiny cracks formed in the painting

>. miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale <

a dollhouse with miniature furnishings

>. II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. in or into small pieces 2. without force or loudness <

speak as small as you will — Shakespeare

> 3. in a small manner III. noun Date: 14th century 1. a part smaller and especially narrower than the remainder <

the small of the back

> 2. a. plural small-sized products b. plural, chiefly British smallclothes; especially underwear