1. extremely or unusually small: "a diminutive figure dressed in black"
▪ (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or imputed in token of affection, scorn, etc., (e.g., teeny, -let, -kins).
noun
1. a diminutive word or suffix.
▪ a shortened form of a name, typically used informally: "“Nick” is a diminutive of “Nicholas.”"
▪ a charge of the same form as an ordinary but of lesser size or width.
Word Originlate Middle English (as a grammatical term): from Old French diminutif, -ive, from late Latin diminutivus, from Latin deminut- ‘diminished’, from the verb deminuere (see diminish).
