diminutive

/də-ˈmi-nyə-tiv/

Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere "to lessen"

noun

  1. a word, affix, or name usually indicating small size : a diminutive word, affix, or name

  2. one that is notably small : a diminutive individual

adjective

  1. indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible —used of affixes (such as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (such as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (such as Jim), and of altered forms (such as Peggy)

  2. exceptionally or notably small : tiny

small little diminutive minute tiny miniature mean noticeably below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number. little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity.