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hypocorism

- 2 dictionary results

hy⋅poc⋅o⋅rism

[hahy-pok-uh-riz-uhm, hi-]
–noun
1. a pet name.
2. the practice of using a pet name.
3. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, esp. by an adult.

Origin:
1840–50; < Gk hypokórisma pet name. See hypocoristic, -ism
hy·poc·o·rism   (hī-pŏk'ə-rĭz'əm, hī'pə-kôr'ĭz'əm, -kōr'-)   
n.  
  1. A name of endearment; a pet name.
  2. The use of such names.

[Late Latin hypocorisma, from Greek hupokorisma, from hupokorizesthai, to call by endearing names : hypo-, beneath, secretly; see hypo- + korizesthai, to caress (from koros, boy or korē, girl; see ker-2 in Indo-European roots).]
hy'po·co·ris'tic (hī'pə-kə-rĭs'tĭk) adj. & n., hy'po·co·ris'ti·cal·ly adv.
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