[hy.po.co.rism] n [LL hypocorisma, fr. Gk hypokorisma, fr. hypokorizesthai to call by pet names, fr. hypo- + korizesthai to caress, fr. koros boy, kore girl] (1850) 1: a pet name
2: the use of pet names -- hy.po.co.ris.tic or hy.po.co.ris.ti.cal adj -- hy.po.co.ris.ti.cal.ly adv