Diminutive



GRE

解释

GRE 红宝书

• adj.小巧的
• ［英］ adj.小巧的 ( much smaller than ordinary or average)
• ［记］ diminu ( 小) +tive -> 可爱的
• ［例］ a diminutive dog

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere
• Date: 14th century
• 1. a diminutive word, affix, or name
• 2. a diminutive individual

II. adjective

• Date: 14th century
• 1. indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible — used of affixes (as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (as Jim), and of altered forms (as Peggy); compare augmentative
• 2. exceptionally or notably small ; tiny <a diminutive performer>
• Synonyms: see small
• ? diminutively adverb
• ? diminutiveness noun

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