a.

1. 小的，琐碎的；不重要的
   petty cash

   小额现金

   Don't bother me with such petty things.

   不要用这种小事情烦我。

2. 小规模的，小型的[Z]
   He was arrested for petty theft.

   他因小偷小摸被捕。

3. 气量小的，心胸狭窄的
   A gossip has a petty mind.

   长舌妇往往心胸狭窄。

4. 下级的，职位低的[Z]
   petty officer

   （海军）士官；下士

   Authority was distributed among hundreds of petty leaders.

   职权由数百名小头头分掌。

adj.

1. trivial.
2. mean; small-minded.
3. minor.
   ▸Law  (of a crime) of lesser importance. Compare with grand (in sense ²).