释义 |
pettiness|ˈpɛtɪnɪs| [f. petty a. + -ness.] The quality of being petty; triviality, insignificance; little-mindedness; an instance of this, a petty trait; formerly, a petty or trivial object.
1581Mulcaster Positions ii. (1887) 6 A petie companion, I confesse, but till some better do deale, why may not my petinesse fullwell take place? 1599Shakes. Hen. V, iii. vi. 136 His ransome, which must proportion the losses we haue borne..which in weight to re-answer, his pettinesse would bow vnder. 1660H. More Myst. Godl. v. xv. 175 These pettinesses being below the Divine Majesty to catch at. 1845Browning Pictor Ignotus ad fin., See their faces, listen to their prate, Partakers of their daily pettiness. 1872Stubbs in Mem. W. de Coventria (Rolls) II. Pref. 15 A mean reproduction of all the vices and of the few pettinesses of his family. |