small

small [smôl]

adj.

[ME smal, narrow, slender < OE smæl, akin to Ger schmal, narrow < IE base * (s)mēlo-, smaller animal: see MAL-]

1. little in size, esp. when compared with others of the same kind; not large or big; limited in size

2.

a) little in quantity, extent, numbers, value, duration, etc. [a small income]

b) of slight intensity; of limited degree or scope

c) consisting of relatively few units; numerically low

3. of little importance or significance; trivial

4. young [a book for small children]

5. having relatively little investment, capital, etc. [a small business]

6. small-minded; mean; petty

7.

a) of low or inferior rank; ordinary; not notable

b) modest or humble

8. gentle and low; soft: said of sound or the voice

9. diluted; light; weak [small ale]

10. LOWERCASE

adv.

1. in small pieces

2. in a low, faint tone; softly

3. in a small manner

n.

1. the small or narrow part [the small of the back]

2. [pl.] small things or articles collectively

3. [pl.] [Brit. Informal] Brit. Informal

4.

a) Archaic SMALLCLOTHES

b) UNDERCLOTHES

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feel small

to feel shame or humiliation

smallness

n.

SYN.- SMALL and LITTLE are often used interchangeably, but SMALL is preferred with reference to something concrete of less than the usual quantity, size, amount, value, importance, etc. [a small man, tax, audience, matter, etc. ] and LITTLE more often applies to absolute concepts [he has his little faults ], in expressing tenderness, indulgence, etc. [the little woman ], and in connoting insignificance, meanness, pettiness, etc. [of little importance ]; DIMINUTIVE implies extreme, sometimes delicate, smallness or littleness [the diminutive Lilliputians ]; MINUTE² and the more informal TINY suggest that which is extremely diminutive, often to the degree that it can be discerned only by close scrutiny [a minute, or tiny, difference ]; MINIATURE applies to a copy, model, representation, etc. on a very small scale [miniature painting ]; PETITE has specific application to a girl or woman who is small and trim in figure

-ANT. LARGE, BIG, GREAT