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| di·min·u·tive [ di mínnyətiv ] |
adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. very small: very small or much smaller than is usual
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2. indicating smallness: describes a suffix such as "-ette" or "-let" that indicates small size, youth, familiarity, or fondness or a word or name formed with such a suffix
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noun (plural di·min·u·tives) |
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| Definition: |
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1. word indicating smallness: a word or name that indicates small size, youth, familiarity, or fondness, e.g. "kitchenette" or "booklet"
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2. suffix indicating smallness: a suffix, e.g. "-ette," or "-let," that indicates small size, youth, familiarity, or fondness
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3. very small person or thing: a person or thing that is very small or much smaller than is usual
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| [14th century. < French diminutif< Latin diminut- (see diminution)] |
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  di·min·u·tive·ly adverb |
| di·min·u·tive·ness noun |
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