The meaning of PETIT is petty —used chiefly in legal compounds.

PETIT definition: small; petty; minor. See examples of petit used in a sentence.

There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the word petit, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

3 days ago · From Middle English petit, from Old French petit, from Late Latin *pitittus, diminutive of Latin *pit-, possibly from Proto-Celtic *pett- (“part, bit, piece”) (see Latin pettia), [1] or of …

(Law) (prenominal) chiefly law of little or lesser importance; small: petit jury. [C14: from Old French: little, of obscure origin]

Place the butter, petit pois and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Add the petit pois, orange juice and honey to the leeks. In the US a petit four is totally exotic! I left with all the ignored petit …

Apr 30, 2025 · How is “petit” used in the context of food? In the realm of food, “petit” often signifies smaller portions or a more delicate presentation. Think of “petit fours,” which are …

Sep 21, 2025 · Petit (pronounced /pəˈtiː/ or /pəˈtɪt/) is an adjective of French origin meaning “small” or “little.” This term can convey various connotations based on context, including size, …

What Does the French Word "Petit" Mean in English? Petit is a French word that translates to "small" or "little" in English. It is commonly used to describe something of a small size or stature.

The word ‘petit’ is used to describe something that is small in size, amount, or importance. It often connotes delicacy or cuteness.