Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - little

 I. adjective  (~r or less or lesser; ~st or least)  Etymology: Middle English littel, from Old English ly?tel; akin to Old High German luzzil ~  Date: before 12th century  1. not big: as  a. small in size or extent ; tiny has ~ feet  b. young was too ~ 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 ~ group ~ towns  e. small in condition, distinction, or scope big business trampling on the ~ fellow  f. narrow, mean the pettiness of ~ minds  g. pleasingly small a cute ~ thing  h. — used as an intensive why, you ~ devil!  2. not much: as  a. existing only in a small amount or to a slight degree has ~ money  b. short in duration ; brief  c. existing to an appreciable though not extensive degree or amount — used with a had a ~ money in the bank  3. small in importance or interest ; trivial  Synonyms: see small  • ~ness noun  II. adverb  (less; least)  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. in only a small quantity or degree ; slightly facts that were ~ known at the time  b. not at all cared ~ for their neighbors  2. rarely, infrequently  III. noun  Date: before 12th century  1. a small amount, quantity, or degree; also practically nothing ~ has changed  2.  a. a short time  b. a short distance