picayune
1pic·a·yune
noun \ˌpi-kē-ˈyün\Definition of PICAYUNE
1
a : a Spanish half real piece formerly current in the South b : half dime
2
: something trivial
Examples of PICAYUNE
- <our lives don't amount to a picayune in the great scheme of things>
Origin of PICAYUNE
Occitan picaioun, a small coin, from picaio money, from pica to jingle, of imitative origin
First Known Use: 1804
Related to PICAYUNE
- Synonyms
- bagatelle, child's play, frippery, nonproblem, nothing, trifle, shuck(s), small beer, small change, triviality
Rhymes with PICAYUNE
2picayune
adjectiveDefinition of PICAYUNE
: of little value : paltry; also : petty, small-minded
— pic·a·yun·ish \-ˈyü-nish\ adjective
Examples of PICAYUNE
- They argued over the most picayune details.
- <the picayune ponderings of a commentator who steadfastly believes other cultures are inferior to our own>
First Known Use of PICAYUNE
1836
Related to PICAYUNE
- Synonyms
- illiberal, insular, Lilliputian, little, narrow-minded, parochial, petty, narrow, provincial, sectarian, small, small-minded
- Antonyms
- broad-minded, catholic, cosmopolitan, liberal, open, open-minded, receptive, tolerant
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All Words Near: picayune
Previous Word in the Dictionary: picaroon (intransitive verb)
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