diminutive

== English == === Alternative forms === (noun, grammar): dim. (abbreviation) === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English diminutif, derived from Old French diminutif, derived from Latin dīminutīv|us, ~a, ~um (adjective), from dīminūt|us, ~a, ~um (participle), perfect passive participle of dīmin|uō, ~uere, ~uī, ~ūtum (verb). First attested in 1398. === Pronunciation === enPR: dĭ-mĭn′yə-tĭv (Received Pronunciation, General American, Canada, General Australian, Scotland) IPA(key): /dɪˈmɪn.jə.tɪv/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /dəˈmən.jə.təv/ (nonstandard) IPA(key): /dɪˈmɪn.ju.ə.tɪv/ Rhymes: -ɪnjətɪv Hyphenation: di‧min‧u‧tive === Adjective === diminutive (comparative more diminutive, superlative most diminutive) Very small. Synonyms: lilliputian, tiny Antonyms: huge, gigantic (obsolete) Serving to diminish. 1711, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, 1714 edition republished by Gregg International Publishers, 1968, Volume 3, Miscellany 3, Chapter 2, p. 175,[2] They cou’d, perhaps, even embrace POVERTY contentedly, rather than submit to any thing diminutive either of their inward Freedom or national Liberty. (grammar) Of or pertaining to, or creating a word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment. Antonym: augmentative ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === diminutive (plural diminutives) (grammar) A word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment. Synonym: nomen deminutivum Antonym: augmentative (heraldry) The smallest, thinnest version of a traditional heraldic ordinary ("geometric shape on a shield"), often used to represent multiple instances of a charge or to modify a main, central, and larger charge; not itself modifiable. Hyponyms: fillet, barrulet, pallet, bendlet, scarpe, closet, cotise, chevronel, crosslet, saltorel ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === hypocorism pet form; pet name dimwit Category:English diminutive nouns, proper nouns, interjections, and suffixes Category:English endearing and childish terms === References === “diminutive”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. == Danish == === Adjective === diminutive inflection of diminutiv: plural definite attributive === Noun === diminutive plural of diminutiv == French == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /di.mi.ny.tiv/ Hyphenation: di‧mi‧nu‧tive === Adjective === diminutive feminine singular of diminutif == German == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /diminuˈtiːvə/ Hyphenation: di‧mi‧nu‧ti‧ve === Adjective === diminutive inflection of diminutiv: strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular strong nominative/accusative plural weak nominative all-gender singular weak accusative feminine/neuter singular == Italian == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /di.mi.nuˈti.ve/ Rhymes: -ive Hyphenation: di‧mi‧nu‧tì‧ve === Adjective === diminutìve feminine plural of diminutìvo == Norwegian Bokmål == === Adjective === diminutive definite singular/plural of diminutiv == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Adjective === diminutive definite singular/plural of diminutiv