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smallness

 - 3 dictionary results

small

  [smawl] adjective, -er, -est, adverb, -er, -est, noun
Use smallness in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not big; little: a small box.
2. slender, thin, or narrow: a small waist.
3. not large as compared with others of the same kind: a small elephant.
4. (of letters) lower-case (def. 1).
5. not great in amount, degree, extent, duration, value, etc.: a small salary.
6. not great numerically: a small army.
7. of low numerical value; denoted by a low number.
8. having but little land, capital, power, influence, etc., or carrying on business or some activity on a limited scale: a small enterprise.
9. of minor importance, moment, weight, or consequence: a small problem.
10. humble, modest, or unpretentious: small circumstances.
11. characterized by or indicative of littleness of mind or character; mean-spirited; petty: a small, miserly man.
12. of little strength or force: a small effort.
13. (of sound or the voice) gentle; with little volume.
14. very young: when I was a small boy.
15. diluted; weak.
–adverb
16. in a small manner: They talked big but lived small.
17. into small pieces: Slice the cake small.
18. in low tones; softly.
–noun
19. something that is small: Do you prefer the small or the large?
20. a small or narrow part, as of the back.
21. those who are small: Democracy benefits the great and the small.
22. smalls, small goods or products.
23. smalls, British.
a. underclothes.
b. household linen, as napkins, pillowcases, etc.
24. smalls, British Informal. the responsions at Oxford University.
25. smalls, Mining. coal, ore, gangue, etc., in fine particles.
—Idiom
26. feel small, to be ashamed or mortified: Her unselfishness made me feel small.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME smale (adj., n., and adv.), OE smæl; c. D smal, G schmal

Related forms:
smallness, noun

Synonyms:
1. tiny. See little. 2. slight. 1, 3, 5. Smaller, less indicate a diminution, or not so large a size or quantity in some respect. Smaller, as applied to concrete objects, is used with reference to size: smaller apples. Less is used of material in bulk, with reference to amount, and in cases where attributes such as value and degree are in question: A nickel is less than a dime (in value). A sergeant is less than a lieutenant (in rank). As an abstraction, amount may be either smaller or less, though smaller is usually used when the idea of size is suggested: a smaller opportunity. Less is used when the idea of quantity is present: less courage. 9. trifling, petty, unimportant, minor, secondary, nugatory, inconsequential, paltry, insignificant. 11. small-minded, narrow-minded, mean, selfish, narrow. 12. feeble.

Antonyms:
1. large, big.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To smallness
small   (smôl)   
adj.   small·er, small·est

  1. Being below the average in size or magnitude.

  2. Limited in importance or significance; trivial: a small matter.

  3. Limited in degree or scope: small farm operations.

  4. Lacking position, influence, or status; minor: "A crowd of small writers had vainly attempted to rival Addison" (Thomas Macaulay).

  5. Unpretentious; modest: made a small living; helped the cause in my own small way.

  6. Not fully grown; very young.

  7. Narrow in outlook; petty: a small mind.

  8. Having been belittled; humiliated: Their comments made me feel small.

  9. Diluted; weak. Used of alcoholic beverages.

  10. Lacking force or volume: a small voice.

adv.  

  1. In small pieces: Cut the meat up small.

  2. Without loudness or forcefulness; softly.

  3. In a small manner.

n.  

  1. A part that is smaller or narrower than the rest: the small of the back.

  2. smalls

    1. Small things considered as a group.

    2. Chiefly British Small items of clothing.


[Middle English smal, from Old English smæl.]
small'ish adj., small'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean being notably below the average in size or magnitude: a small house; diminutive in stature; little hands; a miniature camera; a minuscule amount of rain; minute errors; a petite figure; tiny feet; a wee puppy.
Antonym: large
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

small 
O.E. smæl "slender, narrow, small," from P.Gmc. *smalaz (cf. O.S., Dan., Swed., M.Du., Du., O.H.G. smal, O.Fris. smel, Ger. schmal "narrow," Goth. smalista "smallest," O.N. smali "small cattle, sheep"), perhaps from a PIE base *(s)melo- "smaller animal" (cf. Gk. melon, O.Ir. mil "a small animal;" O.C.S. malu "bad"). Original sense of "narrow" now almost obsolete, except in ref. to waistline and intestines.
"My sister ... is as white as a lilly, and as small as a wand." [Shakespeare, "Two Gentlemen of Verona," 1591]
Sense of "not large, of little size" developed in O.E. With many extended senses, e.g. small fry, first recorded 1697 of little fish, 1885 of insignificant people. Meaning "of low alcoholic content" (cf. small beer, 1568) is attested from c.1440. Small potatoes first attested 1940; small change "something of little value" is from 1902; small talk "chit-chat" (1751) first recorded in Chesterfield's "Letters." Small world as a comment upon an unexpected meeting of acquaintances is recorded from 1895. Small-town (adj.) "unsophisticated, provincial" is recorded from 1824. Small arms, indicating those capable of being carried in the hand (contrasted to ordnance) is recorded from 1710.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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