mezquino

mean, stingy

adjective mehs-KEE-noh Rare

Origin: From Arabic miskīn (poor, wretched).

Also means

petty, small-minded

Usage Note

Mezquino describes someone who is petty or ungenerous with money or spirit. Its Arabic origin (miskīn, poor or wretched) is a reminder of the heavy Arabic layer in Spanish vocabulary. In some Latin American varieties it can mean 'tiny' or 'insignificant' in informal speech. The noun mezquindad (meanness, pettiness) derives from it. The seed POS of noun appears incorrect — it functions primarily as an adjective.

Examples

"Es demasiado mezquino para dejar propina."

Natural Translation

He is too mean to leave a tip.

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