SMALLNESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does smallness mean? 

• SMALLNESS (noun)
  The noun SMALLNESS has 4 senses:

1. the property of having a relatively small size

2. the property of being a relatively small amount

3. the property of having relatively little strength or vigor

4. lack of generosity in trifling matters

  Familiarity information: SMALLNESS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SMALLNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The property of having a relatively small size

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

littleness; smallness

Hypernyms ("smallness" is a kind of...):

size (the physical magnitude of something (how big it is))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "smallness"):

diminutiveness; minuteness; petiteness; tininess; weeness (the property of being very small in size)

delicacy; slightness (smallness of stature)

grain (the smallest possible unit of anything)

puniness; runtiness; stuntedness; dwarfishness (smallness of stature)

Antonym:

largeness (the property of having a relatively great size)

Derivation:

small (limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

small (relatively moderate, limited, or small)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The property of being a relatively small amount

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

he was attracted by the smallness of the taxes

Hypernyms ("smallness" is a kind of...):

amount (the relative magnitude of something with reference to a criterion)

Derivation:

small (limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

small (not large but sufficient in size or amount)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The property of having relatively little strength or vigor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

littleness; smallness

Context example:

the smallness of her voice

Hypernyms ("smallness" is a kind of...):

weakness (the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain)

Derivation:

small ((of a voice) faint)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Lack of generosity in trifling matters

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

littleness; pettiness; smallness

Hypernyms ("smallness" is a kind of...):

closeness; meanness; minginess; niggardliness; niggardness; parsimoniousness; parsimony; tightfistedness; tightness (extreme stinginess)

 Context examples 

"The smallness of the house," said she, "I cannot imagine any inconvenience to them, for it will be in proportion to their family and income."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

My hand was lifted at her door to knock, when I recollected the smallness of the island.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The smallness of the rooms above and below, indeed, and the narrowness of the passage and staircase, struck her beyond her imagination.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

A personality of smallness and egotism and petty underhandedness seemed to emanate from the letters themselves.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece, and they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts, whisking in and out of various costumes, and managing the stage besides.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

But it is proved by the smallness of the school, which I have heard you speak of, as under the patronage of your sister and Mrs. Bragge; the only school, and not more than five-and-twenty children.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The general, perceiving how her eye was employed, began to talk of the smallness of the room and simplicity of the furniture, where everything, being for daily use, pretended only to comfort, etc.; flattering himself, however, that there were some apartments in the Abbey not unworthy her notice—and was proceeding to mention the costly gilding of one in particular, when, taking out his watch, he stopped short to pronounce it with surprise within twenty minutes of five!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

As in his cubhood he had been made to feel his smallness and puniness on the day he first came in from the Wild to the village of Grey Beaver, so now, in his full-grown stature and pride of strength, he was made to feel small and puny.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He hoped they would all excuse the smallness of the party, and could assure them it should never happen so again.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Well, they were honest eyes, he concluded, and in them was neither smallness nor meanness.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)