1. (a.) 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.

2. (a.) Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep.

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

4. (a.) Small in dignity, power, or importance; not great; insignificant; contemptible.

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

6. (a.) Small in extent of views or sympathies; narrow; shallow; contracted; mean; illiberal; ungenerous.

7. (n.) That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.

8. (n.) A small degree or scale; miniature.

9. (adv.) In a small quantity or degree; not much; slightly; somewhat; -- often with a preceding it.