Undersized

ppl. a. (In attrib. use u·ndersized.) [UNDER-¹ 10 a.]

  † 1.  Inadequately employed. Obs.^–1

1657.  Gauden, J. Watts’ Scribe & Let. Answ., Pref. ¶ j. His great abilities … were indeed much under-sized as to his auditory and employment.

  2.  Below the proper or ordinary size.

1706.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4244/3. Each undersiz’d [Galloway] to be allow’d half a Stone for every Inch under.

1747.  Frauds & Abuses Coal Trade (ed. 3), 20. The like Abuse, practised … by undersized Sacks.

1825.  T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. I. 319. Mr. Abberly’s undersized man-servant … delivered a note to Louisa.

1851.  Kingsley, Yeast, xiii. The ill-looks of the young girls surprised him much;… the majority seemed under-sized, under-fed.

1884.  T. F. R. Carr, in Fish. Exhib. Lit., XI. 425. Fishermen … should be compelled to riddle the mussels … and return the undersized to the scalps.