Main Entry: ¹min·i·a·ture

Pronunciation: \ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r, ˈmi-ni-ˌchu̇r, ˈmin-yə-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript, from Medieval Latin, from Latin miniatus, past participle of miniare to color with minium, from minium red lead

Date: circa 1586

1 a : a copy on a much reduced scale b : something small of its kind
2 : a painting in an illuminated book or manuscript
3 : the art of painting miniatures
4 : a very small portrait or other painting (as on ivory or metal)

— min·i·a·tur·ist \-ˌchu̇r-ist, -chər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-\ noun

— min·i·a·tur·is·tic \ˌmi-nē-ə-chə-ˈris-tik, ˌmi-ni-, ˌmin-yə-, -ˌtyu̇-, -ˌtu̇-\ adjective

— in miniature : in a greatly diminished size, form, or scale