Diminutive (Noun)
Meaning
A word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The suffix -let is used to form the diminutive booklet from the word book.
- The word kinglet is a diminutive of king, denoting small size.
- In Dutch, the suffix -je is used to form diminutives like house becoming houseje or huisje.
- The suffix -kin is used to form the diminutive lambkin from the word lamb.
- The suffix -ling is used to form the diminutive duckling from the word duck.