a. [ Compar. Pettier superl. Pettiest. ] [ OE. petit, F. petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E. piece. Cf. Petit. ] Little; trifling; inconsiderable; unimportant; also, inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; petty complaints; a petty prince. Denham. [ 1913 Webster ] Like a petty god I walked about, admired of all. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Petty averages. See under Average. -- Petty cash, money expended or received in small items or amounts. -- Petty officer, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc., corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty treason, See Petit. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling; trivial; unimportant; frivolous. [ 1913 Webster ] |