1560s, probably an adjectival use of noun paltry "worthless thing" (1550s), associated with dialectal palt, pelt "trash," cognate with Middle Low German and East Frisian palte "rag," Middle Dutch palt "broken or torn fragment." Similar formation in Low German paltrig "rubbishy," East Frisian palterig "ragged, torn."
双语例句
1. They suffered an electoral catastrophe, winning a paltry 3 seats.
他们在选举中惨败，仅获得微不足道的3个席位。
来自柯林斯例句
2. They believe they're playing a zero-sum game, where both must compete for the same paltry resources.
他们明白他们正处于一场零和博弈中，双方必须针锋相对，争夺那少得可怜的资源。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The parents had little interest in paltry domestic concerns.
那些家长对家里鸡毛蒜皮的小事没什么兴趣。
来自辞典例句
4. How can you deliberately get up such paltry falsehoods?
你怎么能故意编造出这么卑鄙的谎话?
来自辞典例句
5. I'm getting angry; and if you don't command that paltry spirit of yours.
