Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SMALL, a. [Sax. smæl, smal, thin, slender, little; G. schmal, D. smal, narrow; Dan. smal, narrow, strait; smaler, to narrow, to diminish; Sw. smal; Russ. malo, small, little, few; malyu and umaliayu, to diminish; Slav. to abase; W. mal, small, trivial, light, vain, like, similar; malu, to grind, and malau, to make similar; Gr. ὁμαλος. See Mill, Mold, Meal.]

1. Slender; thin; fine; of little diameter; hence in general, little in size or quantity; not great; as, a small house; a small horse; a small farm; a small body; small particles.
2. Minute; slender; fine; as, a small voice.
3. Little in degree; as, small improvement; small acquirements; the trouble is small. There arose no small stir about that way. – Acts ix.
4. Being of little moment, weight or importance; as, it is a small matter or thing; a small subject.
5. Of little genius or ability; petty; as, a small poet or musician. 6, Short; containing little; as, a small essay.
6. Little in amount; as, a small sum; a small price.
7. Containing little of the principal quality, or little strength; weak; as, small beer.
8. Gentle; soft; not loud. – 1 Kings xix.
9. Mean; base; unworthy. [Colloquial.]