Di*min"u*tive (?), a. [Cf. L. deminutivus, F. diminutif.] 1. Below the average size; very small; little.

2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word.

3. Tending to diminish. [R.]

Diminutive of liberty.

Di*min"u*tive, n. 1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing.

Such water flies, diminutives of nature.

2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a young object of the same kind with that denoted by the primitive; as, gosling, eaglet, lambkin.

Babyisms and dear diminutives.

&fist; The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as scribble.

• Very small
  
• Serving to diminish
  
• Grammar. A word form expressing smallness or youth. A booklet is a small book.