diminutive
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A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle something or someone. A (abbreviated ) is a word-formation device used to express such meanings. A is a diminutive form with two diminutive suffixes rather than one.
A diminutive is a modified form of a word that expresses a smaller version of what the root word means, or conveys feelings of affection, intimacy, or sometimes mockery toward the thing being described. These word forms matter because they allow speakers to add layers of emotional meaning and nuance to their language beyond what the original word alone can express.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
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Encyclopedic overview
5 sectionsContents
- Purpose
- Formation
- English examples
- See also
- References
A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle something or someone. A (abbreviated ) is a word-formation device used to express such meanings. A is a diminutive form with two diminutive suffixes rather than one.
== Purpose == Diminutives are often employed as nicknames and pet names when speaking to small children and when expressing extreme tenderness and intimacy to an adult. The opposite of the diminutive form is the augmentative.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “diminutive” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.