Definition of "diminutive" in English

adjective

1. Very small.

2. (obsolete) Serving to diminish.

   • 1711, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, 1714 edition republished by Gregg International Publishers, 1968, Volume 3, Miscellany 3, Chapter 2, p. 175, They cou’d, perhaps, even embrace POVERTY contentedly, rather than submit to any thing diminutive either of their inward Freedom or national Liberty.

3. (grammar) Of or pertaining to, or creating a word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment.

noun

1. (grammar) A word form expressing smallness, youth, unimportance, or endearment.

   • Booklet, the diminutive of book, means ‘small book’.