— hypocoristically , adv.
/huy'peuh keuh ris"tik, hip'euh-/ , adj.
endearing, as a pet name, diminutive, or euphemism.
[ 1600-10; hypokoristikós diminutive, equiv. to hypokor ( ízesthai ) to play the child, call by endearing names ( hypo- HYPO- + kor- child (Compare KÓRE girl, kóros boy)) + -istikos -ISTIC ]