diminutive
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of DIMINUTIVE
1
[more diminutive; most diminutive]
:
very small
-
a diminutive actor
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a radio with a diminutive set of speakers
2
linguistics
:
indicating small size
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the diminutive suffixes “-ette” and “-ling”
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the diminutive noun “duckling”
◊ A diminutive word or suffix is usually used in describing something small, often with the added suggestion that it is appealing or lovable in some way.
— diminutiveness
noun [noncount]
2
diminutive
/dəˈmɪnjətɪv/
noun
plural
diminutives
2
diminutive
/dəˈmɪnjətɪv/
noun
plural
diminutives
Britannica Dictionary definition of DIMINUTIVE
[count]
1
:
a word or suffix that indicates that something is small
-
the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette”
2
:
an informal form of a name
◊ Diminutives can be a shortened form of a name (such as “Jen” for “Jennifer” and “Dick” for “Richard”) or a name with a diminutive suffix added to it (such as “Bobby” for “Bob”).
