Simple, paltry (4)
I believe the answer is:
mere
This clue is a double definition.
'simple' is the first definition.
(I know that simple can be written as mere)
'paltry' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for mere that I've seen before include "Nothing more than a small pond" , "a drop of water" , "President Hollande's mother?" , "See 13" , "Pond - pure and simple" .)