Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Little \Lit"tle\, n.
   1. That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or
      the like.

            Much was in little writ.              --Dryden.

            There are many expressions, which carrying with them
            no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my
            ignorance.                            --Locke.

   2. A small degree or scale; miniature. `` His picture in
      little.'' --Shak.

            A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited
            extent; somewhat; for a short time. `` Stay a
            little.'' --Shak.

            The painter flattered her a little.   --Shak.
      

   {By little and little}, or {Little by little}, by slow
      degrees; piecemeal; gradually.

Source : WordNet®

little by little
     adv 1: a little bit at a time; "the research structure has
            developed piecemeal" [syn: {piecemeal}, {bit by bit},
            {in stages}]
     2: by a short distance; "they moved it by inches" [syn: {by
        inches}, {by small degrees}]