Main Entry:

pal·try

Pronunciation:

\ˈpȯl-trē\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

pal·tri·er; pal·tri·est

Etymology:

obsolete paltry trash, from dialect palt, pelt piece of coarse cloth, trash; akin to Middle Low German palte rag

Date:

1570

1 : inferior, trashy 2 : mean, despicable <a paltry trick> 3 : trivial <a paltry excuse> 4 : meager, measly <made a paltry donation>

— pal·tri·ness noun