paltry
pal-try / pôl-trē
adjective 1. worthless; petty; trivial; inconsequential When I first tried to write, I had nothing to write about except a few paltry experiences which I neither understood nor appreciated. From “Martin Eden” by Jack London, 1876 – 1916 2. extremely small in amount; negligible; inadequate If a man borrows a paltry sum of money, there must needs be bonds and securities, and every common civility is presently charged upon account. Seneca the Younger, 4 BC – 65 AD 3. despicable; mean; contemptible You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit. Demosthenes, 384 BC - 322 BC