/
dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv/
adj.
- extremely or unusually small.
- (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or as an expression of affection or scorn (e.g. teeny, -let).
n.
a diminutive word or suffix.
▸a shortened informal form of a name.
Derivative
- diminutively adv.
- diminutiveness n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. diminutif, -ive, from late L. diminutivus, from L. deminut-, deminuere ‘lessen’.
