MINIATURE

I. noun Etymology: Italian miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript, from Medieval Latin, from Latin miniatus, past participle of miniare to color with minium, from minium red lead Date: circa 1586 1. a copy on a much reduced scale, something small of its kind, a painting in an illuminated book or manuscript, the art of painting ~s, a very small portrait or other painting (as on ivory or metal), miniaturist noun miniaturistic adjective II. adjective Date: 1714 being or represented on a small scale, see: small