I. ˈli-t ə l adjective
( lit·tler ˈli-t ə l-ər, ˈlit-lər ; or less ˈles ; or less·er ˈle-sər ; lit·tlest ˈli-t ə l-əst, ˈlit-ləst ; or least ˈlēst)
Etymology: Middle English littel, from Old English lȳtel; akin to Old High German luzzil little
Date: before 12th century
1. : not big: as
a. : small in size or extent : tiny
has little feet
b. : young
was too little to remember
c. of a plant or animal : small in comparison with related forms — used in vernacular names
d. : having few members or inhabitants
a little group
little towns
e. : small in condition, distinction, or scope
big business trampling on the little fellow
f. : narrow , mean
the pettiness of little minds
g. : pleasingly small
a cute little thing
h. — used as an intensive
why, you little devil!
2. : not much: as
a. : existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree
has little money
b. : short in duration : brief
c. : existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount — used with a
had a little money in the bank
3. : small in importance or interest : trivial
Synonyms: see small
• lit·tle·ness ˈli-t ə l-nəs noun
II. adverb
( less ˈles ; least ˈlēst)
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : in only a small quantity or degree : slightly
facts that were little known at the time
b. : not at all
cared little for their neighbors
2. : rarely , infrequently
III. noun
Date: before 12th century
1. : a small amount, quantity, or degree ; also : practically nothing
little has changed
2.
a. : a short time
b. : a short distance
•
- a little
- in little