diminutiveadj.n.

/dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv/

Forms: Also Middle English diminitif ( -yf, etc.), 1500s–1600s diminitive, 1500s demynutyve.

Etymology: < French diminutif, -ive (14th cent. in Godefroy Suppl.), < Latin dīminūtīvus, dēminūtīvus, < dīminūtus, dēminūtus, past participle of dī-, dēminuĕre to lessen. The noun use is found in English earlier than the adjective.

A. adj.

1. Grammar. Expressing diminution; denoting something little: usually applied to derivatives or affixes expressing something small of the kind denoted by the primitive word. (Opposed to augmentative.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [adjective] > expressing diminution

diminutive1579

diminuenta1627

diminutival1868

caritative1906

1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 7 Where they honoured this old woman [Hecale], calling her by a diminutiue name, Hecalena.

1659 O. Walker Some Instr. Art of Oratory 32 Verbal nouns..some of them being augmentative, some diminutive.

1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Pref. Diminutive adjectives in ish, as greenish.

1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §13. 96 In most languages, the objects of love are spoken of under diminutive epithets.

1876 C. P. Mason Eng. Gram. (ed. 21) §313 The diminutive sense easily passes into that of depreciation, as in worldling, groundling.

†2. Making less or smaller; tending to diminution. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > producing or allowing decrease

reductive1633

straiteninga1652

diminishing1665

diminutive1677

remissive1686

1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 266 God..cannot fal under any mutation either..augmentative or diminutive.

1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. iii. ii. 175 Any thing diminutive either of their inward Freedom or national Liberty.

†3. Representing or describing something as less than it is; disparaging, depreciative. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > disparagement or depreciation > [adjective]

detractive1490

detracting1530

derogatory1570

reproachful1574

detractory1585

disadvantageous1620

detractious1626

derogatingc1629

undervaluing1639

disparaging1645

derogative1646

diminutive1662

diminishing1675

vilipendinga1722

belittling1793

depreciatory1805

vilipensive1824

depreciating1837

detractatory1860

vilipenditory1884

depreciant1885

slurring1892

hatemongering1926

denigratory1955

marginalizing1977

1662 J. Glanvill Lux Orientalis ii. 11 A diminutive and disparaging apprehension of the infinite..Goodness of God.

1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 443 The Death of Christ..a federal Rite..appears to be too low and too diminutive a Name for it.

1791 T. Paine Rights of Man i. 115 A scene so new..that the name of a Revolution is diminutive of its character, and it rises into a Regeneration of man.

4. Characterized by diminution; hence, of less size or degree than the ordinary; small, little. In later use, generally, a more forcible expression for ‘small’: = minute, tiny. (Usually in reference to physical size.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > small in quantity, amount, or degree

littleeOE

litec1175

smallc1325

somedealc1340

slight1530

diminutive1602

minor1612

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective] > small of its kind

demi1418

young1550

minikin1566

dwarf-like1582

diminutive1602

minitive?1602

diminute1611

pocket1621

Lilliputian1726

duodecimo1780

toy1821

minified1841

junior1860

toy-sized1861

Lilliput1867

toyish1871

mini1963

the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > very small in amount or degree

superfine1575

tiny1598

minute1606

exiguous1630

myriate1665

delicate1692

miniature1714

infinitesimal1733

diminutive1741

weeny1790

inappreciable1802

teeny1802

scrumptious1834

teeny-weeny1842

teeny-tiny1849

tee-tiny1872

minuscule1878

1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. C2^v Balurdo cals for your diminutiue attendance.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. ii. 10 The poore Wren (The most diminitiue of Birds).

1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. Diminutiue, little.

1641 R. Brathwait Mercurius Britanicus 11 Our Progenitours esteemed diminutive Cottages as Kingdomes.

1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. Compl. Hist. Druggs I. 146 A diminutive Pine, which grows not above the Height of a Man.

1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 15 I could not sufficiently wonder at the Intrepidity of these diminutive Mortals.

1741 T. Gray Let. 25 Sept. in Corr. (1971) I. 177 Last post I received a very diminutive letter.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. viii. 283 The summer..passed in unavailing movements and diminutive attempts.

1851 G. Brimley Ess. (1858) ii. 123 We..know that children are not diminutive angels.

1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 24 Small, almost diminutive, in stature.

B. n.

1. Grammar. A diminutive word or term (see A. 1); a derivative denoting something small of the kind.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [noun] > formation of diminutive > diminutive word or term

diminutive1398

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvii. xcvi. (Tollem. MS.) Of ‘Lens, lentis,’ comeþ ‘Lenticula,’ þe diminityf þerof.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 303 Adjectyves whiche be demynutyves in signyfication.

1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Gram. sig. B3 Diminutiues end commonly in ito, illo.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 264 The word δαιμόνιον..is not a Diminitive..but an Adjective Substantiv'd.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 135. ⁋1 Cicero..calls those small Pretenders to Wisdom..certain Minute Philosophers, using a Diminutive even of the Word Little.

1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 79 In babyisms, and dear diminutives Scatter'd all over the vocabulary Of such a love.

1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 80 His name, Adamnan, is a diminutive of Adam.

2. Heraldry. One of the smaller ordinaries corresponding in form and position to the larger, but of less width.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun] > charge of simplest or commonest kind > of same shape but smaller

diminutive1572

1486 Bk. St. Albans, Her. C iv b This cros [croslet] is not so oft borne in armys by him selfe..neuer the lees mony tymys hit is borne in dimynutiuys, that is to say in littyll crossis crossit.]

1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 32^v The Barrulet is a Diminutive thereof, and is but the fourth parte of the Barre.

1766 M. A. Porny Elem. Heraldry (1787) iv. 60 The Pale..Its Diminutives are the Pallet, which is the half of the Pale, and the Endorse, which is the fourth part of a Pale.

1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 14 The diminutives of this ordinary are the bendlet, which is half the bend; the cost, or cotise, half the bendlet; and the riband, half of the cost.

1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 23 All the honourable ordinaries (but not their diminutives,..)..may be charged.

3. A diminutive thing or person.

a. A small variety or form of something; a ‘miniature’.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > that which is small > a small thing > thing small of its kind

decimo-sexto1594

diminutive1609

toy1665

a shrimp of aa1774

bantam1787

pygmy1838

yarkera1842

baby1847

smidgen1952

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. i. 31 How the poore world is pestred with such water flies, diminitiues of nature.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxxiii. sig. O5 All families are but diminutiues of a Court.

1796 Mod. Gulliver's Trav. 46 A reflection..which I often found myself justified in bringing home to these diminutives.

1842 C. Whitehead Richard Savage (1845) I. xi. 145 The diminutive tells me he believes he has wronged you.

1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xix. 150 A stimulus, acting constantly, like the diminutive of a cup of strong coffee.

†b. Something very small. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xiii. 37 Most Monster-like be shewne For poor'st Diminitiues, for Dolts.

1658 Sir T. Browne Garden of Cyrus iii, in Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall 129 In what diminutives the plastick principle lodgeth, is exemplified in seeds.

Thesaurus »

†c. in diminutive: on a small scale, in miniature (obsolete).

†4. Something that diminishes or lessens; spec. in Medicine. A medicine that abates the violence of a disease. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > one who or that which decreases anything

shortener?1566

abater1583

abator1592

diminutive1596

reductivea1676

reducer1894

shrinker1921

the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > analgesic > [noun] > soothing medicine

lenitive1563

acopon1566

mitigator1586

diminutive1596

assuagement1599

mitigatory1656

levative1657

lenient1672

balsamic1713

demulcent1732

assuasive1829

mitigant1838

obtundent1842

torpent1882

chill pill1981

1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) x. liv. 244 If his Fames Deminatiue in any thing we finde.

1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. v. i. vi. 476 When you haue vsed all good meanes and helps of alteratiues, auerters, diminitiues.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2021).

单词	diminutive
释义	diminutiveadj.n. /dɪˈmɪnjʊtɪv/ Forms: Also Middle English diminitif ( -yf, etc.), 1500s–1600s diminitive, 1500s demynutyve. Etymology: < French diminutif, -ive (14th cent. in Godefroy Suppl.), < Latin dīminūtīvus, dēminūtīvus, < dīminūtus, dēminūtus, past participle of dī-, dēminuĕre to lessen. The noun use is found in English earlier than the adjective. A. adj. 1. Grammar. Expressing diminution; denoting something little: usually applied to derivatives or affixes expressing something small of the kind denoted by the primitive word. (Opposed to augmentative.) ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [adjective] > expressing diminution diminutive1579 diminuenta1627 diminutival1868 caritative1906 1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 7 Where they honoured this old woman [Hecale], calling her by a diminutiue name, Hecalena. 1659 O. Walker Some Instr. Art of Oratory 32 Verbal nouns..some of them being augmentative, some diminutive. 1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Pref. Diminutive adjectives in ish, as greenish. 1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §13. 96 In most languages, the objects of love are spoken of under diminutive epithets. 1876 C. P. Mason Eng. Gram. (ed. 21) §313 The diminutive sense easily passes into that of depreciation, as in worldling, groundling. †2. Making less or smaller; tending to diminution. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > producing or allowing decrease reductive1633 straiteninga1652 diminishing1665 diminutive1677 remissive1686 1677 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. 266 God..cannot fal under any mutation either..augmentative or diminutive. 1711 Ld. Shaftesbury Characteristicks III. Misc. iii. ii. 175 Any thing diminutive either of their inward Freedom or national Liberty. †3. Representing or describing something as less than it is; disparaging, depreciative. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > disparagement or depreciation > [adjective] detractive1490 detracting1530 derogatory1570 reproachful1574 detractory1585 disadvantageous1620 detractious1626 derogatingc1629 undervaluing1639 disparaging1645 derogative1646 diminutive1662 diminishing1675 vilipendinga1722 belittling1793 depreciatory1805 vilipensive1824 depreciating1837 detractatory1860 vilipenditory1884 depreciant1885 slurring1892 hatemongering1926 denigratory1955 marginalizing1977 1662 J. Glanvill Lux Orientalis ii. 11 A diminutive and disparaging apprehension of the infinite..Goodness of God. 1737 D. Waterland Rev. Doctr. Eucharist 443 The Death of Christ..a federal Rite..appears to be too low and too diminutive a Name for it. 1791 T. Paine Rights of Man i. 115 A scene so new..that the name of a Revolution is diminutive of its character, and it rises into a Regeneration of man. 4. Characterized by diminution; hence, of less size or degree than the ordinary; small, little. In later use, generally, a more forcible expression for ‘small’: = minute, tiny. (Usually in reference to physical size.) ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > small in quantity, amount, or degree littleeOE litec1175 smallc1325 somedealc1340 slight1530 diminutive1602 minor1612 the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [adjective] > small of its kind demi1418 young1550 minikin1566 dwarf-like1582 diminutive1602 minitive?1602 diminute1611 pocket1621 Lilliputian1726 duodecimo1780 toy1821 minified1841 junior1860 toy-sized1861 Lilliput1867 toyish1871 mini1963 the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > very small in amount or degree superfine1575 tiny1598 minute1606 exiguous1630 myriate1665 delicate1692 miniature1714 infinitesimal1733 diminutive1741 weeny1790 inappreciable1802 teeny1802 scrumptious1834 teeny-weeny1842 teeny-tiny1849 tee-tiny1872 minuscule1878 1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. C2^v Balurdo cals for your diminutiue attendance. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. ii. 10 The poore Wren (The most diminitiue of Birds). View more context for this quotation 1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. Diminutiue, little. 1641 R. Brathwait Mercurius Britanicus 11 Our Progenitours esteemed diminutive Cottages as Kingdomes. 1712 J. Browne tr. P. Pomet et al. Compl. Hist. Druggs I. 146 A diminutive Pine, which grows not above the Height of a Man. 1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 15 I could not sufficiently wonder at the Intrepidity of these diminutive Mortals. 1741 T. Gray Let. 25 Sept. in Corr. (1971) I. 177 Last post I received a very diminutive letter. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. viii. 283 The summer..passed in unavailing movements and diminutive attempts. 1851 G. Brimley Ess. (1858) ii. 123 We..know that children are not diminutive angels. 1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 24 Small, almost diminutive, in stature. B. n. 1. Grammar. A diminutive word or term (see A. 1); a derivative denoting something small of the kind. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > other grammatical categories or concepts > [noun] > formation of diminutive > diminutive word or term diminutive1398 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvii. xcvi. (Tollem. MS.) Of ‘Lens, lentis,’ comeþ ‘Lenticula,’ þe diminityf þerof. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 303 Adjectyves whiche be demynutyves in signyfication. 1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Gram. sig. B3 Diminutiues end commonly in ito, illo. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 264 The word δαιμόνιον..is not a Diminitive..but an Adjective Substantiv'd. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 135. ⁋1 Cicero..calls those small Pretenders to Wisdom..certain Minute Philosophers, using a Diminutive even of the Word Little. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Aylmer's Field in Enoch Arden, etc. 79 In babyisms, and dear diminutives Scatter'd all over the vocabulary Of such a love. 1894 J. T. Fowler in St. Adamnan Vita S. Columbae Introd. 80 His name, Adamnan, is a diminutive of Adam. 2. Heraldry. One of the smaller ordinaries corresponding in form and position to the larger, but of less width. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun] > charge of simplest or commonest kind > of same shape but smaller diminutive1572 1486 Bk. St. Albans, Her. C iv b This cros [croslet] is not so oft borne in armys by him selfe..neuer the lees mony tymys hit is borne in dimynutiuys, that is to say in littyll crossis crossit.] 1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 32^v The Barrulet is a Diminutive thereof, and is but the fourth parte of the Barre. 1766 M. A. Porny Elem. Heraldry (1787) iv. 60 The Pale..Its Diminutives are the Pallet, which is the half of the Pale, and the Endorse, which is the fourth part of a Pale. 1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 14 The diminutives of this ordinary are the bendlet, which is half the bend; the cost, or cotise, half the bendlet; and the riband, half of the cost. 1866 J. E. Cussans Gram. Heraldry 23 All the honourable ordinaries (but not their diminutives,..)..may be charged. 3. A diminutive thing or person. a. A small variety or form of something; a ‘miniature’. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > smallness > [noun] > that which is small > a small thing > thing small of its kind decimo-sexto1594 diminutive1609 toy1665 a shrimp of aa1774 bantam1787 pygmy1838 yarkera1842 baby1847 smidgen1952 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. i. 31 How the poore world is pestred with such water flies, diminitiues of nature. View more context for this quotation 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. xxxiii. sig. O5 All families are but diminutiues of a Court. 1796 Mod. Gulliver's Trav. 46 A reflection..which I often found myself justified in bringing home to these diminutives. 1842 C. Whitehead Richard Savage (1845) I. xi. 145 The diminutive tells me he believes he has wronged you. 1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xix. 150 A stimulus, acting constantly, like the diminutive of a cup of strong coffee. †b. Something very small. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iv. xiii. 37 Most Monster-like be shewne For poor'st Diminitiues, for Dolts. View more context for this quotation 1658 Sir T. Browne Garden of Cyrus iii, in Hydriotaphia: Urne-buriall 129 In what diminutives the plastick principle lodgeth, is exemplified in seeds. Thesaurus » †c. in diminutive: on a small scale, in miniature (obsolete). †4. Something that diminishes or lessens; spec. in Medicine. A medicine that abates the violence of a disease. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > one who or that which decreases anything shortener?1566 abater1583 abator1592 diminutive1596 reductivea1676 reducer1894 shrinker1921 the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > analgesic > [noun] > soothing medicine lenitive1563 acopon1566 mitigator1586 diminutive1596 assuagement1599 mitigatory1656 levative1657 lenient1672 balsamic1713 demulcent1732 assuasive1829 mitigant1838 obtundent1842 torpent1882 chill pill1981 1596 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) x. liv. 244 If his Fames Deminatiue in any thing we finde. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy ii. v. i. vi. 476 When you haue vsed all good meanes and helps of alteratiues, auerters, diminitiues. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online June 2021). < adj.n.1398
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