diminutiveness

Variant of diminutive

diminutive definition

di·minu·tive (də min′yo̵̅o̅ tiv, -yə-)

adjective

  1. much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; tiny
  2. Gram. expressing smallness or diminution a diminutive suffix or name

Etymology: ME & OFr diminutif < LL diminutivus < pp. of L deminuere, diminish

noun

  1. a very small person or thing
    1. a word or name formed from another by the addition of a suffix expressing smallness in size or, sometimes, endearment or condescension, as ringlet (ring + -let), Jackie (Jack + -ie), lambkin (lamb + -kin)
    2. such a suffix

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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