The phrase "petty sum" is often used to describe a small amount of money. The spelling of "petty" follows the English language's regular phonetic rules, with /p/ for the initial consonant, followed by /ɛ/ for the first vowel sound, and /t/ and /i/ for the final letters. However, the word "sum" has a silent initial letter, with only the /sʌm/ pronunciation represented in IPA phonetic transcription. Despite this spelling anomaly, "petty sum" is a common expression used in everyday English conversations.
A "petty sum" refers to a small or insignificant amount of money. The term "petty" is derived from the French word "petit," meaning small. It is often used to describe a meager or inconsequential sum of currency or financial value that is considered trivial or of little importance.
The exact threshold of what constitutes a petty sum may vary depending on the context or the person using the term. Generally, it is used to refer to an amount that is relatively small and not worth significant attention or consideration, particularly in comparison to larger sums. For example, an expense of a few dollars or a nominal fee could be designated as a petty sum.
Typically, petty sums are the kind that are easily affordable and do not significantly impact an individual's financial standing. They usually do not require much deliberation or decision-making and are often paid off without much thought or analysis.
The term "petty sum" can be used in diverse scenarios, ranging from personal finance, commercial transactions, or legal disputes. It may also be employed in the context of petty cash, a small fund of money typically used for minor expenses in an organization.
Overall, the concept of a petty sum conveys the idea of a modest or insignificant amount of money that does not warrant substantial consideration or attention in terms of its impact or implications.
The word "petty" comes from the Old French word "petit", which means "small" or "little". It can also be traced back to the Latin word "pittacus", used to describe something of small importance or insignificant.
The word "sum" is from the Latin word "summa", meaning "the total" or "the amount". It refers to a quantity of money or something being counted, calculated, or added up.
Therefore, the phrase "petty sum" combines the idea of something small or insignificant (petty) with a designated amount of money (sum). It typically refers to a relatively insignificant or meager amount of money.