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单词 petty
释义

petty

adjective
/ˈpeti/
/ˈpeti/
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  1. [usually before noun] (disapproving) small and unimportant synonym minor
    • I don't want to hear any more about your petty squabbles.
    • a petty bureaucrat/official (= who does not have much power or authority, although they might pretend to)
    • petty corruption/tyranny/jealousies/feuds
    Extra Examples
    • He made his children's lives a misery with all his petty rules.
    • Some of the prison officers were petty tyrants.
    • The removal of petty restrictions has made life easier.
    • There are plenty of petty bureaucrats who would report you for that.
  2. (disapproving) caring too much about small and unimportant matters, especially when this is unkind to other people synonym small-minded
    • How could you be so petty?
    Topics Personal qualitiesc2
  3. (law) (of a crime or criminal) not very serious
    • petty crime/theft
    • a petty criminal/thief
    • When these people run out of money, they often turn to petty crime.
    • These youngsters are often involved in petty crime such as shoplifting and casual theft.
    compare grand theft
  4. Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘small in size’): from a phonetic spelling of the pronunciation of French petit ‘small’.
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更新时间:2024/11/15 9:47:02