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View synonyms for diminutive

diminutive

[ dih-min-yuh-tiv ]

adjective

  1. small; little; tiny:

    a diminutive building for a model-train layout.

  2. Grammar. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the suffix -let, in droplet from drop.


noun

  1. a small thing or person.
  2. Grammar. a diminutive element or formation.
  3. Heraldry. a charge, as an ordinary, smaller in length or breadth than the usual.

diminutive

/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈtaɪvəl; dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv /

adjective

  1. very small; tiny
  2. grammar
    1. denoting an affix added to a word to convey the meaning small or unimportant or to express affection, as for example the suffix -ette in French
    2. denoting a word formed by the addition of a diminutive affix
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. grammar a diminutive word or affix
  2. a tiny person or thing
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • diˈminutiveness, noun
  • diˈminutively, adverb
  • diminutival, adjective
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Other Words From

  • di·minu·tive·ly adverb
  • di·minu·tive·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of diminutive1

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin dīminūtīvus, equivalent to Latin dīminūt(us) “lessened” (for dēminūtus ) + -īvus adjective suffix; diminution, -ive
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Synonym Study

See little.
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Example Sentences

At the epicentre of this devastating family drama is Gisèle Pelicot, a diminutive 71-year-old woman, drugged by her former husband and abused for a decade by dozens of strangers he had recruited online.

From BBC

Aside from fronting his namesake band Dio from 1982 through 2010, the diminutive singer was known for his piercing vocals and being among the first rockers to flash the famed devil horns hand gesture.

This year, biologists collected samples from nine sites in California, swabbing the diminutive animals’ noses and forearms, said Katrina Smith, statewide coordinator for small mammal conservation for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

California wildlife policymakers have opted to protect the diminutive Western burrowing owl as they consider listing the rapidly declining species as endangered or threatened.

Playing on the right wing in Zagreb, the diminutive attacker carried the fight to Croatia with his ability to dribble forward at pace.

From BBC

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