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mesquin

petty, mean-minded

adjective mess-KAN Rare

Origin: Arabic miskin (poor) via Italian meschino

Usage Note

Mesquin describes a person or attitude that is small-minded, ungenerous, or contemptibly petty. The feminine form is mesquine and the noun is mesquinerie (pettiness, meanness). It can describe both actions and people: un geste mesquin (a petty gesture).

Examples

"C'est un homme mesquin et jaloux."

Natural Translation

He is a petty and jealous man.

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