Petty
来自Big Physics
late Middle English (in the sense ‘small in size’): from a phonetic spelling of the pronunciation of French petit ‘small’. Compare with petit.
wiktionary
From Middle English pety, from Old French peti, petit. Doublet of petit. The disparaging meaning developed over the 16th century.
etymonline
petty (adj.)
late 14c., peti, "small, little, minor," from a phonemic spelling of Old French petit "small" (see petit). From late 12c. in surnames. In English, not originally disparaging (as still in petty cash "small sums of money received or paid," 1834; petty officer "minor or inferior military officer," 1570s).
Meaning "of small or minor importance, not serious" is recorded from 1520s; that of "small-minded" is from 1580s. Related: Pettily; pettiness.
