The meaning of Diminutive

noun

A chicken of a small breed, the cock of which is noted for its aggression.

Usage examples:

He's a prize-winning breeder of poultry and waterfowl and started breeding bantams and poultry when…

noun

A small breed of chicken

adjective

Closely and neatly packed together; dense.

Usage examples:

A compact cluster of houses

verb

Exert force on (something) so that it becomes more dense; compress.

Usage examples:

The rubbish was taken to the depot to be compacted

noun

A small flat case containing face powder, a mirror, and a powder puff.

Usage examples:

Looking once more in her compact's mirror, she got out of the limo and ran up to hug him.

noun

(in folklore or fantasy literature) a member of a mythical race of short, stocky humanlike creatures who are generally skilled in mining and metalworking.

Usage examples:

It is set in the world of the traditional fairy tale, with a cast of elves, dwarves, trolls and gob…

adjective

Denoting something, especially an animal or plant, that is much smaller than the usual size for its type or species.

Usage examples:

A dwarf conifer

verb

Cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison.

Usage examples:

The buildings surround and dwarf all saints church

adjective

Very small, or smaller than usual

Usage examples:

The animals were dwarfish and the plants didn't have enough nutrients., the vegetation on the islan…

adjective

(of a person or their face) small and delicate, typically with a mischievous charm.

Usage examples:

Her black hair suited her elfin face

noun

An elf.

Usage examples:

And yarthe was empty, but for the elfin, and the elfin quite naturally took it for theirs.

adjective

Used to describe a person who is small and delicate

Usage examples:

Her features were small, almost elfin.

adjective

(of a person or animal) very small; diminutive.

adjective

Small in size, amount, or degree (often used to convey an appealing diminutiveness or express an affectionate or condescending attitude).

Usage examples:

The plants will grow into little bushes

adverb

To a small extent.

Usage examples:

He reminded me a little of my parents

determiner & pronoun

A small amount of.

Usage examples:

We got a little help from a training scheme

adjective

So small as to be visible only with a microscope.

Usage examples:

Microscopic algae

adjective

Extremely small, esp. so small that it can only be seen with a microscope

noun

A person of extremely or exceptionally small stature.

adjective

Designed or made in a smaller size than usual; very small.

Usage examples:

A midget submarine

noun

An unusually small person

adjective

Denoting a miniature version of something.

Usage examples:

A mini camera

noun

A very short skirt or dress.

Usage examples:

A leather mini

combining form

Very small or minor of its kind; miniature.

Usage examples:

Minicab

adjective

Very small of its kind.

Usage examples:

Children dressed as miniature adults

noun

A thing that is much smaller than normal, especially a small replica or model.

Usage examples:

Seven full-size car bodies and three miniatures were used

verb

Represent on a smaller scale.

Usage examples:

She saw her own reflection miniatured

adjective

Extremely small; tiny.

Usage examples:

A minuscule fragment of dna

noun

Minuscule script.

Usage examples:

The humanistic hands of the 15th century were based on the carolingian minuscule

adjective

Extremely small

Usage examples:

Salaries are a minuscule part of the budget.

noun

A period of time equal to sixty seconds or a sixtieth of an hour.

Usage examples:

We waited for twenty minutes

adjective

Extremely small.

Usage examples:

Minute particles

verb

Record (the proceedings of a meeting).

Usage examples:

The secretary shall minute the proceedings of each meeting

adjective

Attractively small and dainty (used of a woman).

Usage examples:

She was petite and vivacious

adjective

Of smaller than average height

noun

A small bag sewn into or on clothing so as to form part of it, used for carrying small articles.

Usage examples:

She fished for her door key in her coat pocket

adjective

Of a suitable size for carrying in a pocket.

Usage examples:

A pocket german dictionary

verb

Put into one's pocket.

Usage examples:

She watched him lock up and pocket the key

noun

Something that is very small.

Usage examples:

They were pygmies compared to the current satellites

adjective

Used in names of animals and plants that are much smaller than more typical kinds, e.g. pygmy shrew, pygmy water lily.

Usage examples:

Moreover, some predators of pygmy swordtails (x. nigrensis) also exhibit a bias for the sword.

adjective

(of an animal or bird) one of a type which is smaller than animals or birds of that type usually are

Usage examples:

A pygmy hippopotamus

adjective

Measuring a small distance from end to end.

Usage examples:

Short dark hair

verb

(of a vowel) categorized as short with regard to quality and length (e.g. in standard british english the vowel /ʊ/ in good is short as distinct from the long vowel /uː/ in food ).

noun

Short trousers that reach only to the knees or thighs.

Usage examples:

Cycling shorts

adjective

Of a size that is less than normal or usual.

Usage examples:

The room was small and quiet

adverb

Into small pieces.

Usage examples:

Cut the okra up small

plural noun

Small items of clothing, especially underwear.

Usage examples:

Do we know if secreted about his smalls he has a pair of boxer shorts in either the ancient or red …

adjective

Small, esp. when compared to other things like it

Usage examples:

The house is like a small-scale castle.

adjective

Not involving a lot of people, things, or activity, or happening over a small area

Usage examples:

Existing small-scale industry is more flexible but often trapped in low profit/low innovation compe…

adjective

Short and thick.

Usage examples:

Bob pointed with a stubby finger

noun

A squat bottle of beer typically holding 375 cl.

Usage examples:

Sunday's lazy morning was given a go-by as the guests gathered, many of them caressing the beer stu…

adjective

Short and thick

Usage examples:

He had rather unattractive, stubby fingers.

adjective

Very small.

Usage examples:

A tiny hummingbird

noun

A very young child.

Usage examples:

Books that will make tinies and parents laugh out loud

noun

An object for a child to play with, typically a model or miniature replica of something.

Usage examples:

A toy car

verb

Move or handle (an object) absent-mindedly or nervously.

Usage examples:

Alan toyed with his glasses

noun

An object that children play with

Usage examples:

A stuffed toy, a toy train/soldier, a toy poodle

adjective

Of less than the usual size.

Usage examples:

The undersized cubs may not survive the winter

adjective

Smaller than average, or smaller than the correct size

Usage examples:

An undersized, malnourished boy