Small stuff

Small stuff
Small Small (sm[add]l), a. [Compar. {Smaller}; superl. {Smallest}.] [OE. small, AS. sm[ae]l; akin to D. smal narrow, OS. & OHG. smal small, G. schmal narrow, Dan. & Sw. smal, Goth. smals small, Icel. smali smal cattle, sheep, or goats; cf. Gr. mh^lon a sheep or goat.] 1. Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river. [1913 Webster]

To compare Great things with small. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business. [1913 Webster]

3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; -- sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean. [1913 Webster]

A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man. --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]

4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. ``A still, small voice.'' --1 Kings xix. 12. [1913 Webster]

{Great and small},of all ranks or degrees; -- used especially of persons. ``His quests, great and small.'' --Chaucer.

{Small arms}, muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., in distinction from cannon.

{Small beer}. See under {Beer}.

{Small coal}. (a) Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires. --Gay. (b) Coal about the size of a hazelnut, separated from the coarser parts by screening.

{Small craft} (Naut.), a vessel, or vessels in general, of a small size.

{Small fruits}. See under {Fruit}.

{Small hand}, a certain size of paper. See under {Paper}.

{Small hours}. See under {Hour}.

{Small letter}. (Print.), a lower-case letter. See {Lower-case}, and {Capital letter}, under {Capital}, a.

{Small piece}, a Scotch coin worth about 21/4d. sterling, or about 41/2cents.

{Small register}. See the Note under 1st {Register}, 7.

{Small stuff} (Naut.), spun yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of rope. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

{Small talk}, light or trifling conversation; chitchat.

{Small wares} (Com.), various small textile articles, as tapes, braid, tringe, and the like. --M`Culloch. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Small stuff — Stuff Stuff, n. [OF. estoffe, F. [ e]toffe; of uncertain origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t. Cf. {Stuff}, v. t.] 1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture. [1913 Webster] For the stuff they had… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Small-stuff — is a nautical and knot tying term for thin string or twine, as opposed to the thick, heavy ropes that are more often used in sailing. It is commonly used in a whipping to bind the ends of ropes to prevent fraying.Historically, the term referred… …   Wikipedia

  • small stuff — noun any light rope used on shipboard • Hypernyms: ↑rope • Hyponyms: ↑marline, ↑seizing, ↑spun yarn * * * noun : spun yarn, marline …   Useful english dictionary

  • small stuff — noun Date: 1846 small rope (as spun yarn or marline) usually identified by the number of threads or yarns which it contains …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • small stuff — Naut. small cordage, as marlines, yarns, etc. [1865 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • small stuff — noun A nautical and knot tying term for thin string, as opposed to the thick, heavy ropes that are more often used in sailing. It is commonly used in a whipping knot to bind the ends of ropes to prevent fraying …   Wiktionary

  • don't sweat the small stuff — don t sweat the ˈsmall stuff idiom (NAmE, informal) used to tell sb not to worry about small details or unimportant things Main entry: ↑sweatidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sweat the Small Stuff — is a standup comedy special performed by Kevin James of King of Queens . It has been seen on Comedy Central and released on DVD. James performs standup on various subjects based on annoyances of everyday life, hence the title …   Wikipedia

  • Don't sweat the small stuff. — American, informal something that you say in order to tell someone not to worry about things that are not important. Don t sweat the small stuff, Sam. It s just office gossip no one takes it seriously …   New idioms dictionary

  • don't sweat the small stuff — (USA) This is used to tell people not to worry about trivial or unimportant issues …   The small dictionary of idiomes

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