smallness
nounEtymology From Middle English smalnesse; equivalent to small + -ness.
1
The state or quality of being small.
- His smallness didn't bother him, except when he needed something off the top shelf.
- The exiguity and ſmallneſſe of ſome ſeeds extending to large productions is one of the magnalities of nature, ſomewhat illuſtrating the work of the Creation, and vaſt production from nothing.1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter III.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 136:
2 more examples
- My hand was lifted at her door to knock, when I recollected the smallness of the island. We could never hide ourselves upon it.1904, Jack London, chapter 32, in The Sea-Wolf (Macmillan’s Standard Library), New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap, →OCLC:
- Mr. Howden forcibly expressed his view that the U.T.A. [Ulster Transport Authority] rail system "had reached the limit of its smallness".1963 January, “The Irish scene”, in Modern Railways, page 16:
2
The result or product of being small.