littleness

noun

lit·​tle·​ness

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being little

the littleness of the world in the vast emptiness of space

2

: an act marked by littleness

especially : a mean or petty act

a life of envy, filled with littlenesses

Word History

Etymology

Middle English litelnesse, from Old English lȳtelnes, from lȳtel little + -nes -ness

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Rhymes for littleness

• brittleness