paltry etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: paltere ("a ragged garment, tatter"), from Anglo-Norman French paltrie ("rag, trifle")
• Old French: paltrie ("rag, trifle"), possibly from Latin pallium ("cloak") or palata ("roof of the mouth")

Meaning:

Paltry means:

• Of little value or importance; insignificant
• Meager or inadequate
• Contemptible or worthless

Origin:

The precise origin of the word "paltry" is uncertain. One theory suggests that it comes from the Latin word "pallium," which refers to a cloak or mantle. The idea behind this etymology is that a "paltry" object is something so insignificant or worthless that it is not even worthy of being used as a covering.

Another theory traces the word's origins to the Old French word "paltrie," which means "rag" or "trifle." This etymology suggests that "paltry" things are like rags—worthless and fit only for discarding.

Regardless of its exact etymology, the word "paltry" has come to be widely used to describe anything that is considered unimportant, inadequate, or contemptible.

paltry relate terms

• palter

  Etymology The word palter is derived from the Middle English word palten which in t

• paltry

  Etymology Middle English paltere a ragged garment tatter from Anglo Norman Frenc

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• scab

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• cottage

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• chicken

  Etymology The word chicken originates from the Old English word cicen which in turn

• pelt

  Etymology Pelt comes from the Proto Germanic word pell which also gave rise to the

• reprimand

  Etymology Reprimand comes from the French word réprimander which in turn comes from t

• shenanigan

  Etymology The word shenanigan is believed to have originated from the Irish phrase si