picayune

views updated May 14 2018

pic·a·yune / ˌpikiˈyoōn/ • adj. inf. petty; worthless: the picayune squabbling of party politicians. • n. a small coin of little value, esp. a 5-cent piece. ∎ inf. an insignificant person or thing.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

picayune

views updated May 23 2018

picayune (in Louisiana, etc.) Spanish half-real, (U.S.) 5-cent piece; insignificant object; adj. mean, paltry. XIX. — F. picaillon old copper coin of Piedmont, cash — modPr. picaioun, of unkn. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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Picayune

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