small
UK[smɔːl]US[smɔːl]
adj
of a size that is less than normal or usual
adj
not large in amount, number, or degree
adj
young; not fully grown
adj
of little importance or significance
Etymology
the word 'small' originates from the old english 'smæl', meaning "slender, narrow, fine." this old english term is derived from the proto-germanic 'smalaz', which carried similar meanings of "small" or "slender." the proto-germanic root can be traced further back to the proto-indo-European '(s)melo-', meaning "small animal." the semantic journey from a concept of physical narrowness or fineness to the general modern meaning of "little in size or amount" is a classic example of meaning broadening. this evolution illustrates how a specific attribute (slenderness) became a more abstract and widely applicable descriptor for anything of diminished scale.
Analysis
the word 'small' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into distinct morphemes in modern english.
Examples
they live in a small apartment in the city center.
a small number of people disagreed with the proposal.
he showed a remarkable talent for music from a small age.