hypocorism

[ hahy-pok-uh-riz-uhm, hi- ]

noun
  1. the practice of using a pet name.

  1. the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, especially by an adult.

Origin of hypocorism

1
First recorded in 1840–50; from Greek hypokórisma “pet name, endearing name; diminutive (word)”; see origin at hypocoristic, -ism

Words Nearby hypocorism

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British Dictionary definitions for hypocorism

hypocorism

/ (haɪˈpɒkəˌrɪzəm) /


noun
  1. a pet name, esp one using a diminutive affix: `` Sally '' is a hypocorism for `` Sarah ''

  2. another word for euphemism (def. 1)

Origin of hypocorism

1
C19: from Greek hupokorisma, from hupokorizesthai to use pet names, from hypo- beneath + korizesthai, from korē girl, koros boy

Derived forms of hypocorism

  • hypocoristic (ˌhaɪpəkɔːˈrɪstɪk), adjective
  • hypocoristically, adverb

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