diminutive

Diminutive — Di*min u*tive, a. [Cf. L. deminutivus, F. diminutif.] 1. Below the average size; very small; little. [1913 Webster] 2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word. [1913 Webster] 3. Tending to diminish. [R.] [1913 Webster] Diminutive of liberty …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Diminutive — Di*min u*tive, n. 1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing. [1913 Webster] Such water flies, diminutives of nature. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a young object of the same… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

diminutive — 1> грам. уменьшительное существительное 2> небольшая вещь, вещица 3> тщедушный человечек 4> геральд. небольшая фигура на щите, по положению и форме соответствующая большой 5> грам. уменьшительный, диминутивный 6> маленький, крохотный 7> слабый Ex …   Новый большой англо-русский словарь

diminutive — 1. adj. 1) маленький, миниатюрный 2) gram. уменьшительный Syn:see small 2. noun gram. уменьшительное слово …   Англо-русский словарь Мюллера

diminutive — index immaterial, minimal, paltry, petty, remote (small), slight, tenuous Burton s Legal Thesaurus …   Law dictionary

Diminutive — In language structure, a diminutive,[1] or diminutive form (abbreviated dim), is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment.[2][3] It… …   Wikipedia

diminutive — I. noun Etymology: Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere Date: 14th century 1. a diminutive word, affix …   New Collegiate Dictionary

diminutive — diminutively, adv. diminutiveness, n. /di min yeuh tiv/, adj. 1. small; little; tiny: a diminutive building for a model train layout. 2. Gram. pertaining to or productive of a form denoting smallness, familiarity, affection, or triviality, as the …   Universalium

diminutive — 1. adjective /dɪˈmɪn.jʊ.tɪv,dəˈmɪn.jə.tɪv/ a) Very small. b) Serving to diminish. Syn: lilliputian, tiny Ant: huge, gigantic …   Wiktionary

diminutive — * * * ● diminutif, diminutive adjectif (bas latin diminutivus, de diminuere, retrancher) Se dit d un suffixe qui s ajoute à une base lexicale pour donner une idée de petitesse ou d insuffisance (par exemple maisonnette, pâlot, brindille,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle