adj.
Pronunciation: ' pe-t ē
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: pet · ti · er ; -est
Etymology: Middle English pety small, minor, alteration of petit
Date: 14th century
1 : having secondary rank or importance : MINOR , SUBORDINATE
2 : having little or no importance or significance
3 : marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : SMALL-MINDED
– pet · ti · ly \ ' pe-t ə -l ē \ adverb
– pet · ti · ness \ ' pe-t ē -n ə s \ noun