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diminutive

 - 3 dictionary results

di⋅min⋅u⋅tive

  [di-min-yuh-tiv]
Use diminutive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. small; little; tiny: a diminutive building for a model-train layout.
2. Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.
–noun
3. a small thing or person.
4. Grammar. a diminutive element or formation.
5. Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < ML dīminūtīvus, equiv. to L dīminūt(us) lessened (for dēminūtus; see diminution ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
di⋅min⋅u⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
di⋅min⋅u⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. See little.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To diminutive
di·min·u·tive   (dĭ-mĭn'yə-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Extremely small in size; tiny. See Synonyms at small.

  2. Grammar Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension, qualities such as youth, familiarity, affection, or contempt, as -let in booklet, -kin in lambkin, or -et in nymphet.

n.  

  1. Grammar A diminutive suffix, word, or name.

  2. A very small person or thing.


[Middle English diminutif, from Old French, from Latin dīminūtīvus, variant of dēminūtīvus, from dēminūtus, past participle of dēminuere, to lessen; see diminish.]
di·min'u·tive·ly adv., di·min'u·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

diminutive 
1398, from O.Fr. diminutif (fem. diminutive), from L. diminutivum, from deminuere (see diminish).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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