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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Great and small

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.

    To compare Great things with small.
    --Milton.

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

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

    A true delineation of the smallest man is capable of interesting the greatest man.
    --Carlyle.

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

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

    1. Little coals of wood formerly used to light fires.
      --Gay.

    2. 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.

Usage examples of "great and small".

All creatures great and small did not include sheriff's department personnel.

About the flat were hundreds of boulders, great and small, tumbled down in past ages from the cliff.

Those of the Temple had worked in this fashion with cats, great and small, since the breed had always been sacred to Apedemek.

He fancied himself returning to the King's service after a long absence to find, his name on the lips of his countrymen and peers, his deeds sung in halls great and small throughout the kingdom.

Conan was as indifferent to it as he was to every other discomfort, great and small.

I do, however, know that all creatures, great and small, have 'cute' babies.

He thought that all men, great and small, bond and free, were sinners in the sight of God.

Like not wanting to fuck over all things great and small makes me some kinda prince.

Like most first-class saloons, the Parthenon provided a maze of semi-private chambers, great and small, for the discreet get-togethers of patrons too delicate-natured for the main taproom up front.

Next day they took another hike, admiring the scenery both great and small.