All 3 Uses of
petty
in
1984, by Orwell
- Heavy physical work, the care of home and children, petty quarrels with neighbours, films, football, beer, and above all, gambling, filled up the horizon of their minds.
p. 71.5petty = insignificant (unimportant)
- And even when they became discontented, as they sometimes did, their discontent led nowhere, because being without general ideas, they could only focus it on petty specific grievances.
p. 71.9 *
- Individually, no member of the Party owns anything, except petty personal belongings.
p. 206.6
Definitions:
-
(1)
(petty as in: a petty crime) of less importance -- at times implying insignificance
-
(2)
(petty as in: don't be petty) unpleasantly focusing on an unimportant flaw; or attempting to make someone suffer for an unimportant wrong
-
(3)
(petty as in: petty officer) of lower rank or importance
- (4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)