petit

[ pet-ee; French puh-tee ]

/ ˈpɛt i; French pəˈti /

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adjective Law.

small; petty; minor.

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Origin of petit

1325–75; Middle English <Middle French; see petty

Words nearby petit

petiolar, petiolate, petiole, petiolule, Petipa, petit, petit beurre, petit bourgeois, petit déjeuner, petite, petite bourgeoise

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use petit in a sentence

Spain and Australia also produce some petit verdot, and we are likely to see some varietally labeled PV from Bordeaux as that region adapts to climate change.
How to expand your red wine repertoire beyond cabs, pinots and merlots|Dave McIntyre|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
This blend is cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, sangiovese and lemberger, making it a little bit Bordeaux, a little Italy, a smidgen Austria and all Washington.
Upgrade your July Fourth cookout with these 3 red wines, each under $25|Dave McIntyre|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
This nonvintage red blend is made from cabernet sauvignon and saperavi, the red grape of Georgia, with some merlot and petit verdot filling out the mix.
Fire up the grill and uncork this $15 French malbec for a fabulous pairing|Dave McIntyre|May 21, 2021|Washington Post
Petit walks the wire back and forth four times, varying the walks with little routines from time to time.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“I study [sic] the Towers in France when they were being planned,” Petit says.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It happened that I interviewed Philippe Petit not long after his WTC walk for Vanity Fair.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Paul Winter played the saxophone and Melissa Leo, the actress, read texts written by Petit himself.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Petit says that somebody once told him they understood his reliance on his eyesight, his sense of touch, even his sense of smell.
Philippe Petit’s Moment of Concern Walking the WTC Tightrope|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Louis Petit de Bachaumon died; a native of Paris, known as the author of several literary works.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
“Mon pauvre petit, you are hungry,” said Aristide, carrying it to the car racked by the clattering engine.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
He and Petit-Claud had similar business interests and the same clients.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
If a true lady makes even a plate of toast, in arranging a petit souper for her invalid friend, she does it as a lady should.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 17, No. 101, March, 1866|Various
All these painful early experiences are told very pathetically in "Le Petit Chose."
The Nabob|Alphonse Daudet

British Dictionary definitions for petit (1 of 2)

petit

/ (ˈpɛtɪ) /

adjective

(prenominal) mainly law of little or lesser importance; smallpetit jury

Word Origin for petit

C14: from Old French: little, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for petit (2 of 2)

Petit

/ (French pəti) /

noun

Roland (rɔlɑ̃). 1924–2011, French ballet dancer and choreographer. His innovative ballets include Carmen (1949), Kraanerg (1969), and The Blue Angel (1985); he also choreographed films, such as Anything Goes (1956) and Black Tights (1960)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012