A leaf of ivy; †taken as the type of a thing of little value. to pipe in (with) an ivy-leaf (figurative), to console oneself (for failure, etc.)…

As the type of something of trifling importance or value; a very small or negligible amount. Chiefly in negative contexts. Cf. pin bush n. (a) at pin…

As the type of something having little or no value. (So Old French parnele, = French prunelle.)

As a type of something of very small value or importance. Frequently in not to be worth a pease and variants. Obsolete.

Often used as a type of what is of trifling value or importance, as in not to care a straw (two, three straws), and similar phrases.

Literary and proverbial uses:— in reference to a bean's small value; cf. straw, n.1 7a.

As a type of something of trifling value. Now rare.

As the type of something of little or no value or importance, chiefly in negative constructions, as not to be worth a button, not to care a button…

Taken as a type of something of little value. Also a leek's blade, a leek's clove (clove, n.1 1).

concrete. A small article of little intrinsic value; a toy, trinket, bauble, knick-knack.

As the type of something of little worth or significance; in such phrases as not worth a cress (kerse), not to count (a thing) at a cress. Obsolete…

The wing of a goose. †Sometimes used as a type of what is of trifling value. In quot. 1630 with allusion to the feathers used for arrows.

transferred and figurative. Used to denote something of small value. Obsolete.

Originally: †a trifling or fictitious tale, a jest (obsolete). In later use: a trifle; a thing of little or no value.

As the type of: something of little or no value. Cf. bean, n. 6a. Obsolete.

a pin's head (also point): a type of something very small, insignificant, or worthless.

A thing of small value, a trifle; plural goods of small value, trumpery.

Scottish and English regional (northern). A negligible sum of money; a thing of very small value, the smallest possible amount. See also phrases 1…

A matter or thing of little or no value or importance, a trifle; a foolish or senseless affair, subject, etc.; (in plural) nonsense, trumpery…

A short, tapering length of cord, rope, hair, etc. A tagged piece of ribbon or cord used for attaching hose to a doublet, lacing a garment (esp…

a thing of little or no value; chiefly in emphatic negative expressions; cf. groat, n. 2c, brass farthing n. at brass, n. compounds 3.

As the type of a thing of trifling value.

A fanciful thing of little value; a trifle.

figurative. A thing of short duration or of little value; a trifle, fragment, scrap. Usually plural.

figurative. A thing of very small value or importance; a token, a trifling amount.

As a type of something of small value.

A pinch of snuff. Chiefly with negatives, used to denote something of very slight value or significance.

Snot or nasal mucus. Also used figuratively to denote something of little or no value, significance, or importance.

A product that is superficially appealing, but typically of inferior quality or little value, designed primarily to attract customers or encourage…

As the type of something insignificant or of little value. Now esp. in small potatoes (originally U.S.): designating or denoting a person or thing…

Used to denote something of small value.

The head of a pin; frequently taken as the type of something very small, inexpensive, or insignificant. Also: an object resembling or suggestive…

The crested dog's-tail grass, Cynosurus cristatus. (Often taken as the type of something of little or no value: cf. rush, n.1 phrases 2).

Literary and proverbial uses:— Slang phrases: not to know beans (U.S.): not to know something, to be not well informed; not to care beans (U.S.), not…

With plural agreement. Fragments, esp. of fish; fish-parings. In later use (also with singular agreement): trash; anything of little value; a…