diminutive
[ dih-min-yuh-tiv ]
/ dɪˈmɪn yə tɪv /
adjective
small; little; tiny: a diminutive building for a model-train layout.
Grammar.
pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.
noun
a small thing or person.
Grammar.
a diminutive element or formation.
Heraldry.
a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.
Origin of diminutive
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin
dīminūtīvus, equivalent to Latin
dīminūt(us) lessened (for
dēminūtus; see
diminution) +
-īvus
-ive
OTHER WORDS FROM diminutive
di·min·u·tive·ly, adverb di·min·u·tive·ness, nounWords nearby diminutive
Example sentences from the Web for diminutive
British Dictionary definitions for diminutive
diminutive
/ (dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv) /
adjective
very small; tiny
grammar
- denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French
- denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix
noun
grammar
a diminutive word or affix
a tiny person or thing
Compare (for senses 2, 3):
augmentative