I. ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r, ˈmi-ni-ˌchu̇r, ˈmin-yə-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r 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. : 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 -ˌchu̇r-ist, -chər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r- noun
• min·i·a·tur·is·tic ˌmi-nē-ə-chə-ˈris-tik, ˌmi-ni-, ˌmin-yə-, -ˌtyu̇-, -ˌtu̇- adjective
•
- in miniature
II. adjective
Date: 1714
: being or represented on a small scale
Synonyms: see small