adj. 1. Of little value or importance; paltry. See Synonyms at trivial. 2. Petty; small-minded: "It had seemed picayune to get all bent out of shape organizing the household chores" (Barbara Kingsolver). n. 1. A Spanish-American half-real piece formerly used in parts of the southern United States. 2. A five-cent piece. 3. Something of very little value; a trifle: not worth a picayune. [Louisiana French picaillon, small coin, from French, from Provençal picaioun, from picaio, money, perhaps from Old Provençal piquar, to jingle, clink, from Vulgar Latin *piccāre, to pierce; see PIQUE.] pic′a·yunish adj. |
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