noun

picayune

Picayune (noun) means a small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit.

noun

A small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit.

A coin worth five cents (a nickel) or some other low value.

A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle.

An argument, fact, or other issue raised (often intentionally) that distracts from a larger issue or fails to make any difference.

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Etymology

The noun is borrowed from southern French picaillon, pécaillon, picayon (“type of small foreign coin; (informal, especially in the plural) cash, money”), and from its etymon Occitan picalhon, picaioun (“cheaply made Savoyan-Piedmontese coin that was rapidly demonetized; (by extension) cash, money”), probably from Occitan piquar (“to ring (bells); to knock, strike”) (referring to the clinking of coins in a pocket), originally imitative. The adjective is derived from the noun.

Rhymes for picayune

June lune dune rune tune mune Pune prune immune fortune Neptune commune

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of picayune?

"picayune" (noun) means a small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit.

What are the different meanings of picayune?

"picayune" has 3 main meanings: 1. A small coin of the value of six-and-a-quarter cents; a Spanish coin with a value of half a real; a fippenny bit; 2. A coin worth five cents (a nickel) or some other low value; 3. A person regarded as unworthy of respect or useless; also, something of very little value; a trifle.