pettiness en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree English petty Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English pettiness From petty + -ness.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The quality of being petty.
The pettiness of the accounting department asking me to save a receipt from a fast-food restaurant was absurd.
- (countable, uncountable) A petty behaviour, attitude, etc.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| pettinesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (4)
de Kleinkariertheit (Translations) · el μικρότητα (Translations) · de Kleinlichkeit (Translations) · nl kleinzieligheid (Translations)