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Webster's New World College Dictionary » miniature
miniature
miniature definition
minia·ture (min′ē ə c̸hər, min′i c̸hər)
noun
- a small painting or illuminated letter, as in a medieval manuscript
- a very small painting, esp. a portrait, done on ivory, vellum, etc.
- the art of making such paintings
- a copy or model on a very small scale
Etymology: It miniatura, rubrication, illumination of manuscripts < ML < pp. of L miniare, to paint red < minium, red lead (see minium): sense infl. by L minutus, minute
adjective
on or done on a very small scale; diminutive; minute
miniature Idioms
in miniature
on a small scale; greatly reduced
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