Dĭ-mĭn'ū-tive1, a.
a. [Lat. diminutivus, It., Sp., & Pg. diminutivo, Pr. diminutiu, Fr. diminutif. See DIMINISH.]
- Of small size; minute; little.
- Tending to diminish. [Rare.] “Diminutive of liberty.” Shaftesbury.
2 entries under this word
Diminutive
Dĭ-mĭn'ū-tive2, n.
n. 1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing. “Water-flies, such diminutives of nature.” Dryden.
Sense 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, manikin.
A diminutive is a noun noting the diminution of his primitive. B. Jonson.