[min.i.a.ture] n [It miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript, fr. ML, fr. L miniatus, pp. of miniare to color with minium, fr. minium red lead] (ca. 1586) 1 a: a copy on a much reduced scale b: something small of its kind
2: a painting in an illuminated book or manuscript
3: the art of painting miniatures
4: a very small portrait or other painting (as on ivory or metal) -- min.i.a.tur.ist n -- min.i.a.tur.is.tic adj -- in miniature : in a greatly diminished size, form, or scale
[2]miniature adj (1714): being or represented on a small scale syn see small