Small has 18 different meanings across 4 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Adverb · Proper Noun
a garment size for a small person
"She traded her large jacket for a small since she lost a pound over the winter."
Any part of something that is smaller or slimmer than the rest, now usually with anatomical reference to the back.
"The surgeon carefully inserted a small instrument between the vertebrae to relieve pressure on his spine."
"The small is often used in phrases like "in small," but since it rarely stands alone as a standalone noun in modern English without specific context (like "the small [of the group]"), here is the most natural example: He pointed out the small among the tall buildings."
Usage: Use this term only informally in anatomy when referring specifically to the lower back; it should not be used to describe other body parts as a synonym for "small." Avoid confusing it with the adjective form unless you are intentionally creating an elliptical phrase like "a small ache" rather than using the noun directly.
To make little or less.
"Please don't small me down by ignoring my ideas in such a dismissive way."
In plain English: To make something smaller by cutting it down or reducing its size.
"The company will small down its operations to cut costs."
relatively moderate, limited, or small
"a small business"
"a newspaper with a modest circulation"
"small-scale plans"
"a pocket-size country"
slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope
"a series of death struggles with small time in between"
made to seem smaller or less (especially in worth)
"her comments made me feel small"
Not large or big; insignificant; few in number.
"The small crowd gathered quietly to watch the sunrise, their numbers barely noticeable against the vast horizon."
In plain English: Small is used to describe something that isn't very big or takes up little space.
In a small fashion
"The children gathered their toys and packed them away in a small fashion before dinner was served."
In plain English: Small means doing something with very little effort or using only a tiny amount of something.
"The car parked small in the crowded lot."
A surname.
"My neighbor, Mr. Small, waved to me as he walked his dog down the street."
The word "small" comes from the Old English smæl, which originally meant small, narrow, or slender. It traveled into modern English through Middle English while retaining its core meaning of being little in size.