DIMINUTIVE
DIMINUTIVE.
1. An AFFIX, usually a SUFFIX, added to a WORD to suggest smallness (and, paradoxically, either affection or dismissal). In English, the diminutive suffix -ling is neutral in duckling little duck, affectionate in darling little dear, and dismissive in princeling little prince. Whereas the -ette in cigarette conveys smallness, in usherette it conveys femaleness and, generally, lesser status than usher.
2. A NAME, usually a nickname or hypocorism, that suggests smallness, affection, dismissal, etc.: Will, Willie, Willy (and, in baby talk, the double diminutive Willikins) and Bill, Billy as short forms of William, and willie as a euphemism for the penis. See CLIPPING, L-SOUNDS, SCOTS, SEXISM.
1. An AFFIX, usually a SUFFIX, added to a WORD to suggest smallness (and, paradoxically, either affection or dismissal). In English, the diminutive suffix -ling is neutral in duckling little duck, affectionate in darling little dear, and dismissive in princeling little prince. Whereas the -ette in cigarette conveys smallness, in usherette it conveys femaleness and, generally, lesser status than usher.
2. A NAME, usually a nickname or hypocorism, that suggests smallness, affection, dismissal, etc.: Will, Willie, Willy (and, in baby talk, the double diminutive Willikins) and Bill, Billy as short forms of William, and willie as a euphemism for the penis. See CLIPPING, L-SOUNDS, SCOTS, SEXISM.
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DIMINUTIVE