From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Small \Small\ (sm[add]l), a. [Compar. {Smaller}
(sm[add]l"[~e]r); superl. {Smallest}.] [OE. small, AS. smael;
akin to D. smal narrow, OS. & OHG. smal small, G. schmal
narrow, Dan. & Sw. smal, Goth. smals small, Icel. smali small
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.
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To compare
Great things with small. --Milton.
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2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or
importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a
small fault; a small business.
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3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; --
sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean.
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A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of
interesting the greatest man. --Carlyle.
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4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short;
as, after a small space. --Shak.
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5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. "A still,
small voice." --1 Kings xix. 12.
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{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.
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