来自低地德语palter,破布，布条，来自Proto-Germanic*palto,破布，碎布，-y,形容词后缀。引申词义破布般的，无价值的，微不足道的。

1. They suffered an electoral catastrophe, winning a paltry 3 seats.

他们在选举中惨败，仅获得微不足道的3个席位。

2. They believe they're playing a zero-sum game, where both must compete for the same paltry resources.

他们明白他们正处于一场零和博弈中，双方必须针锋相对，争夺那少得可怜的资源。

3. The parents had little interest in paltry domestic concerns.

那些家长对家里鸡毛蒜皮的小事没什么兴趣。

4. How can you deliberately get up such paltry falsehoods?

你怎么能故意编造出这么卑鄙的谎话?

5. I'm getting angry; and if you don't command that paltry spirit of yours.

我要生气了, 如果你不能振作你那点元气.