The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Petty \Pet"ty\ (p[e^]t"t[y^]), a. [Compar. Pettier
(p[e^]t"t[i^]*[~e]r); superl. Pettiest.] [OE. petit, F.
petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E. piece. Cf.
Petit.]
Little; trifling; inconsiderable; unimportant; also,
inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; petty complaints; a
petty prince. --Denham.
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Like a petty god
I walked about, admired of all. --Milton.
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Petty averages. See under Average.
Petty cash, money expended or received in small items or
amounts.
Petty officer, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc.,
corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.
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Note: For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty
treason, See Petit.
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Syn: Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling;
trivial; unimportant; frivolous.
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