adj. & n.
--adj.
1. remarkably small; tiny.
2 Gram. (of a word or suffix) implying smallness, either actual or imputed in token of affection, scorn, etc. (e.g. -let, -kins).
--n. Gram. a diminutive word or suffix.
Derivatives:
diminutival adj. diminutively adv. diminutiveness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF diminutif, -ive f. LL diminutivus (as DIMINISH)