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.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
5 min read