1. small in size; minor or lesser in degree
Usage: legal; formal

Examples

• The defendant was charged with petit theft for stealing items worth less than $500.
• She filed a petit larceny complaint with the police.
• The court handled several petit offenses that morning.
• Petit crimes are typically punishable by fines rather than imprisonment.
• The lawyer specialized in petit civil cases.
• He was found guilty of petit fraud involving a small sum of money.