small stuff

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

To compare Great things with small.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business. [1913 Webster]

3.Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; -- sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean. [1913 Webster]

A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.— Carlyle.[1913 Webster]

4.Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5.Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. "A still, small voice." --1 Kings xix. 12. [1913 Webster]

Great and small,of all ranks or degrees; -- used especially of persons. "His quests, great and small." --Chaucer.

Small arms, muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., in distinction from cannon.

Small beer. See under Beer.

Small coal. (a) Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires. --Gay. (b) Coal about the size of a hazelnut, separated from the coarser parts by screening.

Small craft (Naut.), a vessel, or vessels in general, of a small size.

Small fruits. See under Fruit.

Small hand, a certain size of paper. See under Paper.

Small hours. See under Hour.

Small letter. (Print.), a lower-case letter. See Lower-case, and Capital letter, under Capital, a.

Small piece, a Scotch coin worth about 21/4d. sterling, or about 41/2cents.

Small register. See the Note under 1st Register, 7.

Small stuff (Naut.), spun yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of rope. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Small talk, light or trifling conversation; chitchat.

Small wares (Com.), various small textile articles, as tapes, braid, tringe, and the like. --M`Culloch. [1913 Webster]

1.Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture. [1913 Webster]

For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.— Ex. xxxvi. 7.[1913 Webster]

Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill.— Sir J. Davies.[1913 Webster]

2.The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence. [1913 Webster]

Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contrived murder.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber. [1913 Webster]

What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?— Shak.[1913 Webster]

It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively.— F. G. Lee.[1913 Webster]

4.Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils. [1913 Webster]

He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.— Hayward.[1913 Webster]

5.A medicine or mixture; a potion. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6.Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash. [1913 Webster]

Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

7.(Naut.) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication. --Ham. Nav. Encyc. [1913 Webster]

8.Paper stock ground ready for use. [1913 Webster]

Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

Clear stuff. See under Clear.

Small stuff (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Stuff gown, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister; hence, a junior barrister himself. See Silk gown, under Silk. [1913 Webster]