petitenessn.
/pəˈtiːtnᵻs/, U.S. /pəˈtitnᵻs/ The quality of being small or dainty.In quot. 1887: (depreciative) littleness, lack of stature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun]
littlenessOE
ungreatc1275
littleheadc1350
smallnessa1398
littlelaikc1450
exiguity1604
pusillage1610
parvity1620
parvitude1652
petitenessa1676
exiguousness1727
exility1779
toydom1882
weeness1882
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > slim shape or physique > [noun] > state of having
smallnessa1387
gentilessec1405
slendernessa1538
gracility1623
slimness1727
slightness1788
jimpness1885
petiteness1887
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iii. vi. 276 In respect of the smallness and petiteness of these little Animals.
1796 Mod. Gulliver's Trav. 50 I could not manage their box, (from its petiteness), so as to play with distinct fairness.
1836 E. A. Poe in Southern Lit. Messenger 2 603/1 The petiteness [of the handwriting]..is most strikingly indicative of a mental habit, which we have more than once pointedly noticed in the works of this author.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 18 June 11 A sombreness and roughness of dress and a petiteness of person about a number of them [sc. Irish Members].
1962 M. Carleton Dread Sunset (1963) ii. 41 For all her petiteness and doll-like prettiness, Miss Tolliver did not suggest informality.
2001 Sun Herald (Sydney) (Nexis) 14 Oct. (Metro section) 5 No matter how many times you meet Kylie, her trinket-size petiteness always causes a double take.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1676