Pet·ty a. [Compar. Pettier superl. Pettiest.] Little; trifling; inconsiderable; unimportant; also, inferior; subordinate; as, a petty fault; petty complaints; a petty prince.
Like a petty god
I walked about, admired of all. --Milton.
Petty averages. See under Average.
Petty cash, money expended or received in small items or amounts.
Petty officer, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc., corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.
Note: ☞ For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty treason, See Petit.
Syn: -- Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling; trivial; unimportant; frivolous.
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petty officer
n : a noncommissioned officer in the navy with a rank comparable
to sergeant in the army [syn: PO, P.O.]