LITTLE

I. adjective (~r or less or lesser; ~st or least) Etymology: Middle English littel, from Old English lȳtel; akin to Old High German luzzil ~ Date: before 12th century not big: as, small in size or extent ; tiny , young , small in comparison with related forms, having few members or inhabitants , small in condition, distinction, or scope , narrow , mean , pleasingly small , h. — used as an intensive not much: as, existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree , short in duration ; brief , existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount, small in importance or interest ; trivial , see: small ~ness noun II. adverb (less; least) Date: before 12th century 1. in only a small quantity or degree ; slightly , not at all , rarely , infrequently, III. noun Date: before 12th century a small amount, quantity, or degree, 2. a short time, a short distance