munchkin

== English == === Etymology === Coined by American author L. Frank Baum in 1900 in his novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Perhaps reflective of German Mensch or munch +‎ -kin. Compare Low German Menschken and Low German Minschken. Sense 5 (“donut hole”) is a genericization of the Dunkin' trademark "Munchkins". === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) enPR: mŭnshʹkĭn, IPA(key): /ˈmʌnʃkɪn/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈmʌnt͡ʃkɪn/ === Noun === munchkin (plural munchkins) (informal) A child. For more quotations using this term, see Citations:munchkin. (informal) A person of very short stature. For more quotations using this term, see Citations:munchkin. Alternative letter-case form of Munchkin (“domestic cat breed”). (roleplaying games) A player who mainly concentrates on increasing their character's power and capabilities. (informal, slang) Synonym of donut hole (“ball-shaped pastry”). (informal) A pet name one used for someone considered adorable, such as a pet, child, or a romantic partner. ==== Synonyms ==== (child): see also Thesaurus:child (small person): dwarf, lilliputian, pygmy, tiddler ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===