(pettier, pettiest)
1.
You can use ~ to describe things such as problems, rules, or arguments which you think are unimportant or relate to unimportant things.
He was miserable all the time and rows would start over ~ things.
...endless rules and ~ regulations...
ADJ: usu ADJ n disapproval
2.
If you describe someone’s behaviour as ~, you mean that they care too much about small, unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind.
I think that attitude is a bit ~.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ disapproval
pettiness
Never had she met such spite and pettiness.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
Petty is used of people or actions that are less important, serious, or great than others.
...~ crime, such as handbag-snatching and minor break-ins.
ADJ: ADJ n