Pret'ty1, a.
(prĭt'ty), a. [compar. PRETTIER; superl. PRETTIEST.] [A-S. prættig, prǣtig, prǣte, prǣtt, adorned, pretty, crafty, sly. Cf. Prov. Ger. prütig, ready, prompt.]
Sense 1. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not striking or impressing; exciting pleasure and liking rather than admiration and awe; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or elegant without elevation or grandeur; as, a pretty face; a pretty person; a pretty flower.
That which is little can be but pretty, and by claiming dignity becomes ridiculous. Johnson.
Sense 2. Moderately large; considerable. [Obs.] “Wavering a pretty while.” Evelyn.
Cut off the stalks of cucumbers immediately after their bearing, close by the earth, and then cast a pretty quantity of earth upon the plant, and they will bear next year before the ordinary time. Bacon.
Sense 3. Affectedly nice; foppish; petty; — used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant creature in the world. Spectator.
Sense 4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; — used ironically; as, a pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
Synonyms— Handsome; elegant; neat; fine. See HANDSOME.