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- Dictionarydiminutive/dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv/
adjective
- 1. extremely or unusually small: "a diminutive figure dressed in black"
noun
- 1. a diminutive word or suffix.
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DIMINUTIVE definition: 1. very small: 2. used to express the fact that something is small, often either to show affection…. Learn more.
The meaning of DIMINUTIVE is a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive word, affix, or name. How to use diminutive in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Diminutive.
a word or part of a word that expresses the fact that something is small, often used either to show affection or to suggest something or someone is not important: The findings do not support previous studies on gender differences in parental use of diminutives with young children.
Diminutive definition: small; little; tiny. See examples of DIMINUTIVE used in a sentence.
A diminutive is a suffix which is added to a word to show affection or to indicate that something is small. For example, '-ie' and '-ette' are diminutives, for example in 'doggie' and ' statuette'.
A diminutive name or word is formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size: a booklet is a small book, and a dinette is a small version of a dining set. The adjective diminutive descends from Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin dīminūtīvus, from Latin dēminuere, "to lessen."
A diminutive creates a meaning of ‘small’ or ‘little’. The most common diminutives are formed with the prefix mini- and with suffixes such as -let and -y. We often use a diminutive with names or with abbreviated names when we want to be more informal, or to express affection for someone or something:
A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to derogatorily belittle something or someone.
Define diminutive. diminutive synonyms, diminutive pronunciation, diminutive translation, English dictionary definition of diminutive. adj. 1. Extremely or extraordinarily small. See Synonyms at small. 2. Grammar Of or being a suffix that indicates smallness or, by semantic extension,...
Noun. Filter. adjective. Extremely or extraordinarily small. American Heritage. Much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny. Webster's New World. 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.
