ˈpetɪ adj. (pettier, pettiest) 1
unimportant;
trivial. 2 mean,
small-minded;
contemptible. 3
minor;
inferior; on a
small scale (petty princes). 4
Law (of a crime) of
lesser importance (petty sessions) (cf.
COMMON, GRAND). øpetty
bourgeois =
PETIT BOURGEOIS. petty
bourgeoisie =
petite bourgeoisie. petty cash
money from or
for small items of
receipt or
expenditure. petty
jury a jury of 12 persons
who try the final issue of
fact in
civil or
criminal cases
and pronounce a
verdict. petty
officer a
naval NCO. petty
treason see TREASON. øøpettily adv. pettiness n. [ME pety, var. of PETIT]