Small arms

Small arms
Small Small (sm[add]l), a. [Compar. {Smaller}; superl. {Smallest}.] [OE. small, AS. sm[ae]l; akin to D. smal narrow, OS. & OHG. smal small, G. schmal narrow, Dan. & Sw. smal, Goth. smals small, Icel. smali smal cattle, sheep, or goats; cf. Gr. mh^lon a sheep or goat.] 1. Having little size, compared with other things of the same kind; little in quantity or degree; diminutive; not large or extended in dimension; not great; not much; inconsiderable; as, a small man; a small river. [1913 Webster]

To compare Great things with small. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Being of slight consequence; feeble in influence or importance; unimportant; trivial; insignificant; as, a small fault; a small business. [1913 Webster]

3. Envincing little worth or ability; not large-minded; -- sometimes, in reproach, paltry; mean. [1913 Webster]

A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man. --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]

4. Not prolonged in duration; not extended in time; short; as, after a small space. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

5. Weak; slender; fine; gentle; soft; not loud. ``A still, small voice.'' --1 Kings xix. 12. [1913 Webster]

{Great and small},of all ranks or degrees; -- used especially of persons. ``His quests, great and small.'' --Chaucer.

{Small arms}, muskets, rifles, pistols, etc., in distinction from cannon.

{Small beer}. See under {Beer}.

{Small coal}. (a) Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires. --Gay. (b) Coal about the size of a hazelnut, separated from the coarser parts by screening.

{Small craft} (Naut.), a vessel, or vessels in general, of a small size.

{Small fruits}. See under {Fruit}.

{Small hand}, a certain size of paper. See under {Paper}.

{Small hours}. See under {Hour}.

{Small letter}. (Print.), a lower-case letter. See {Lower-case}, and {Capital letter}, under {Capital}, a.

{Small piece}, a Scotch coin worth about 21/4d. sterling, or about 41/2cents.

{Small register}. See the Note under 1st {Register}, 7.

{Small stuff} (Naut.), spun yarn, marline, and the smallest kinds of rope. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

{Small talk}, light or trifling conversation; chitchat.

{Small wares} (Com.), various small textile articles, as tapes, braid, tringe, and the like. --M`Culloch. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Small arms — is a term used by the armed forces to refer to infantry weapons, such as the firearms that an individual soldier can carry. It is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, carbines, assault rifles, rifles, sniper rifles,… …   Wikipedia

  • small arms — small arms, firearms that can be easily carried and used by a single person, such as rifles, revolvers, or submachine guns. * * * plural n. portable firearms, esp. rifles, pistols, and light machine guns * * * noun [plural] : weapons (such as… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Small arms — Arms Arms, n. pl. [OE. armes, F. arme, pl. armes, fr. L. arma, pl., arms, orig. fittings, akin to armus shoulder, and E. arm. See {Arm}, n.] 1. Instruments or weapons of offense or defense. [1913 Webster] He lays down his arms, but not his wiles …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Small arms — est un jeu vidéo d action sur la Xbox 360. Il est uniquement disponible sur le Xbox Live Arcade. Portail du jeu vidéo Ce document provient de « Small Arms ». Catégories  …   Wikipédia en Français

  • small arms — n. firearms of small caliber, held in the hand or hands when fired, as pistols, rifles, etc. * * * …   Universalium

  • small arms — n. firearms of small caliber, held in the hand or hands when fired, as pistols, rifles, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Small Arms — est un jeu vidéo d action sur la Xbox 360. Il est uniquement disponible sur le Xbox Live Arcade. Portail du jeu vidéo Catégories : Jeu d actionJeu …   Wikipédia en Français

  • small arms — ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ portable firearms …   English terms dictionary

  • small arms — N PLURAL Small arms are guns that are light and easy to carry. The two sides exchanged small arms fire for about three hours. Syn: handgun …   English dictionary

  • small arms — Gun Gun (g[u^]n), n. [OE. gonne, gunne; of uncertain origin; cf. Ir., Gael., & LL. gunna, W. gum; possibly (like cannon) fr. L. canna reed, tube; or abbreviated fr. OF. mangonnel, E. mangonel, a machine for hurling stones.] 1. A weapon which… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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