diminutive

¹di·min·u·tive

noun \də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv\

Definition of DIMINUTIVE

1

: a diminutive word, affix, or name

2

: a diminutive individual

Examples of DIMINUTIVE

1. the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette”
2. <dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family>

Origin of DIMINUTIVE

Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DIMINUTIVE

Synonyms: dwarf, midget, mite, peewee, pygmy (also pigmy), runt, scrub, shrimp, Tom Thumb

Antonyms: behemoth, colossus, giant, jumbo, leviathan, mammoth, monster, titan

Related Words: nubbin; mini, miniature; bantam; homunculus, hop-o'-my-thumb, manikin (also mannikin); half-pint

Near Antonyms: whale, whopper

[+]more[-]hide

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile