petty

Having little or no importance.derogatoryoften

• a petty fault petty squabbles

Of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views; begrudging, selfish, small-minded; also, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns.derogatoryoften

• Such literature may well be anathema to those who are too docile and petty for their own good.
• That corporation is only slightly pettier than they are greedy, and they are overdue to reap the consequences.

Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive.derogatoryinformaloften

• My cousin is so petty—I forgot his birthday and he's been making snarky comments all week.

Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.historical

• [T]he feoffees should cause the boys to be put to some petty school to learn to read English till they attain 13, and to instruct them in some part of God's true religion.
• [B]y the assistance of that truly Christian gentlewoman, the Lady Elizabeth Hastings, he increased the number of petty schools throughout the island.

Little or small in size.

• To morrow, and to morrow, and to morrow, / Creepes in this petty pace from day to day, / To the laſt Syllable of Recorded time: / And all our yeſterdayes, haue lighted Fooles / The way to duſty death.

Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.

• petty cash petty officer

An outbuilding used as a lavatory; an outhouse, a privy.dialectaleuphemisticinformal

• Cottages occupied by Betty Hines and others; petty in a very filthy state, wants walling. Two petties belonging to Mr. James Parr to be walled, and one next Thomas Wilkinson's to be removed further off.

A class or school for young schoolboys.historical

• […] I took my seat in what was denominated, "The Idle Class", that is, at the very bottom of the school, where all those who have not received some previous instruction in Latin are placed. I however soon got out of that disgraceful and ign
• [S]uch a difference of age between lads at a public school puts intimacy out of the question—a junior ensign being no more familiar with the commander-in-chief at the Horse-Guards; or a barrister on his first circuit with my Lord Chief Just

A little schoolboy, either in grade or size.alsofigurativelyin-plural

• [S]ome of them, which were the Petties and Punies of that ſchoole, whereof old Martin [Marprelate] was the maſter; though then he was but as ſome blinde and obſcure pariſh Clarke that taught in the Belfrie, not preſuming, as hee doth nowe,
• As the maiden therefore vvas comming into the market place, (for there vvere the ſchools for peties kept, of reading and vvriting) the Decemvirs man (a broker to ſerve his maſters luſt) laid hold upon her, avovving that ſhe vvas his bond-ſe