Where does “smallwig” come from?

smallwig (English) comes from English bigwig, from English wig, from English periwig, from French perruque, from Italian perrucca, from Italian parrucca — wig.

smallwig (English): A minor functionary or stakeholder

Definitions

  1. A minor functionary or stakeholder

Ancestry of “smallwig”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbigwigA person of importance to a group or organization
2EnglishwigA head of real or synthetic hair worn on the head...
3EnglishperiwigA wig, especially any kind of stylised wig as...
4Frenchperruquewig; wig, periwig, peruke
5ItalianperruccaAlternative form of parrucca
6Italianparruccawig
Every word from Italian parrucca →Every word from Italian perrucca →Every word from French perruque →