petit

[ pet-ee; French puh-tee ]

adjective

, Law.

1. small; petty; minor.

Petit

¹

/ pəti /

noun

1. PetitRoland19242011MFrenchDANCE: ballet dancerDANCE: choreographer 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)

petit

²

/ ˈpɛtɪ /

adjective

1. prenominal law of little or lesser importance; small

   petit jury

Word History and Origins

Origin of petit¹

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French; petty

Word History and Origins

Origin of petit¹

C14: from Old French: little, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

But a petit basset griffon Vendéen took best in show for the first time last year, as did a bloodhound in 2022.

From Seattle Times

Le Petit Parisien was not petit, the French word for “small.”

From Literature

Then Ella dragged Brigit to the Conjure Creole Creamery, where attendants pulled levers making decadent concretes and malted mischief milkshakes full of pralines and petit fours and pieces of pecan pie.

From Literature

“Freedom is always a comfort,” Cecilia said, ignoring my request and thrusting a chocolate petit four into my hand.

From Literature

“Then maybe I could save you with one of Spring’s petit fours.”

From Literature