diminutive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness
  2. adjective satellite very small
    bantam; petite; tiny; midget; flyspeck; lilliputian.
    • diminutive in stature
    • a lilliputian chest of drawers
    • her petite figure
    • tiny feet
    • the flyspeck nation of Bahrain moved toward democracy

WordNet

Di*min"u*tive adjective
Etymology
Cf. L. deminutivus, F. diminutif.
Definitions
  1. Below the average size; very small; little.
  2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word.
  3. Tending to diminish. R.
    Diminutive of liberty. Shaftesbury.
Di*min"u*tive noun
Definitions
  1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing.
    Such water flies, diminutives of nature. Shak.
  2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a young object of the same kind with that denoted by the primitive; as, gosling, eaglet, lambkin.
    Babyisms and dear diminutives. Tennyson.
    ✍ The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as scribble.

Webster 1913