An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Of limited size; of comparatively restricted dimensions; not large. → method of small perturbations; → Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).

Etymology (EN): M.E. smale; O.E. smæl “slender, narrow, small;” cf. Dan., Swed., M.Du., Du., O.H.G. smal, O.Fris. smel, Ger. schmal “narrow,” Goth. smalista “smallest.”

Etymology (PE): Kucak “small;” Mid.Pers. kucak “small,” related to kutâh “short, small, little,” kudak “child, infant,” kutulé, → dwarf; Mid.Pers. kôtâh “low,” kôtak “small, young; baby;” Av. kutaka- “little, small.”
Kam “little, few; deficient, wanting; scarce,” from Mid.Pers. kam “little, small, few,” O.Pers./Av. kamna- “small, few.”