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| Small talk | 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] |
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