[ dɪ'mɪnjʊtɪv ]
■ adjective
1》 extremely or unusually small.
2》 (of a word, name, or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or as an expression of affection or scorn (e.g. teeny , -let ).
■ noun a ~ word or suffix.
↘a shortened informal form of a name.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. diminutif , -ive , from late L. diminutivus , from L. deminut- , deminuere 'lessen'.