LIT'TLE, a.

1. In a small degree; slightly; as, he is little changed. It is a little discolored.
2. Not much; in a small quantity or space of time. He sleeps little.
3. In some degree; slightly; sometimes preceded by a. The liquor is a little sour or astringent.

1. A small quantity or amount. He demanded much and obtained little. He had little of his father's liberality.
2. A small space. Much was in little writ. – Dryden.
3. Any thing small, slight, or of inconsiderable importance. I view with anger and disdain, / How little gives thee joy and pain. – Prior.
4. Not much. These they are fitted for, and little else. – Cheyne.

1. Small in size or extent; not great or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little table; a little book; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
2. Short in duration; as, a little time or season; a little sleep.
3. Small in quantity or amount; as, a little hay or grass; a little food; a little sum; a little light; a little air or water.
4. Of small dignity, power or importance. When thou wast little in thy own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes? – 1 Sam. xv.
5. Of small force or effect; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertions; little effort; little care or diligence; little weight.

1. Small in size or extent; not big; diminutive; -- opposed to big or large; as, a little body; a little animal; a little piece of ground; a little hill; a little distance; a little child.
   
   

   He sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. Luke xix. 3.

2. That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.
   
   

   Much was in little writ. Dryden.

   There are many expressions, which carrying with them no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my ignorance. Locke.

3. In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; -- often with a preceding it.
   
   
   " The poor sleep little." Otway.
4. Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.
   
   

   Best him enough: after a little time,
   I'll beat him too. Shak.

5. A small degree or scale; miniature.
   
   
   " His picture in little." Shak.

   A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited extent; somewhat; for a short time. " Stay a little." Shak.

   The painter flattered her a little. Shak.

   -- By little and little, or Little by little, by slow degrees; piecemeal; gradually.

6. Small in quantity or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water.
   
   

   Conceited of their little wisdoms, and doting upon their own fancies. Barrow.

7. Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible.
   
   

   When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes? I Sam. xv. 17.

8. Small in force or efficiency; not strong; weak; slight; inconsiderable; as, little attention or exertion;little effort; little care or diligence.
   
   

   By sad experiment I know
   How little weight my words with thee can find. Milton.

9. Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.
   
   

   The long-necked geese of the world that are ever hissing dispraise,
   Because their natures are little. Tennyson.

   Little chief. (Zoöl.) See Chief hare. -- Little finger, the fourth and smallest finger of the hand. -- Little go (Eng. Universities), a public examination about the middle of the course, which is less strict and important than the final one; -- called also smalls. Cf. Great go, under Great. Thackeray. -- Little hours (R. C. Ch.), the offices of prime, tierce, sext, and nones. Vespers and compline are sometimes included. -- Little ones, young children.

   The men, and the women, and the little ones. Deut. ii. 34.