Small /(sma̤l)/

Small

a.
  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.
    To compare Great things with small.
  2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business.
  3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; -- sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
    A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
  4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space.
  5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud.

Phrases & Compounds

Great and small
of all ranks or degrees; -- used especially of persons.
Small arms
muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., in distinction from cannon.
Small beer
See under Beer.
Small coal
Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires
Small craft
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
a lower-case letter. See Lower-case, and Capital letter, under Capital, a.
Small piece
a Scotch coin worth about 2<frac:1_4/d. sterling, or about 4<frac:1_2/cents.
Small register
See the Note under 1st Register, 7.
Small stuff
spun yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of rope.
Small talk
light or trifling conversation; chitchat.
Small wares
various small textile articles, as tapes, braid, tringe, and the like.

Small

adv.
  1. In or to small extent, quantity, or degree; little; slightly. [Obs.]
  2. Not loudly; faintly; timidly. [Obs. or Humorous]
    You may speak as small as you will.

Small

n.
  1. The small or slender part of a thing; as, the small of the leg or of the back.
  2. Smallclothes. [Colloq.]
  3. Same as Little go. See under Little, a.

Small

v. t.
  1. To make little or less. [Obs.]