Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIT'TLE, a. [comp. less, lesser; superl. least. Sax. lytel, lytle; Scot. lite, lyte, adv. lyt; Goth. leitil; Sw. liten; Dan. liden; D. luttel; probably from the sense of diminishing. Class Ld, No. 15, 22, 31.]

1. Small in size or extent; not great or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little table; a little book; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
2. Short in duration; as, a little time or season; a little sleep.
3. Small in quantity or amount; as, a little hay or grass; a little food; a little sum; a little light; a little air or water.
4. Of small dignity, power or importance. When thou wast little in thy own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes? – 1 Sam. xv.
5. Of small force or effect; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertions; little effort; little care or diligence; little weight.