Diminutiveness: meaning, definitions and examples

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diminutiveness

 

[dɪˌmɪnyuˈtɪvnəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

in linguistics

The quality of being diminutive; smallness in size or stature.

Synonyms

daintiness, petiteness, smallness, tininess.

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Word Description / Examples
diminutiveness

Used to describe something that is notably small in size, often in a general sense. This word is more formal and may be used in academic or descriptive writing.

  • The diminutiveness of the insect made it difficult to see with the naked eye.
  • Her diminutiveness made her an excellent hide-and-seek player.
smallness

A very general term that can apply to anything of small size. It's neutral and versatile, without any special connotations of beauty or grace.

  • The smallness of the room made it feel cozy.
  • She marveled at the smallness of the newborn kitten.
petiteness

Typically used to describe small size in a positive, often affectionate manner. Commonly applied to people, especially women, to denote a small and attractive stature.

  • Her petiteness was complemented by her elegant fashion sense.
  • He admired her petiteness as she stood gracefully at the edge of the dance floor.
tininess

Emphasizes extremely small size, often used in a more casual or informal manner. Can also have a slightly cute or endearing tone.

  • The tininess of the toy car made it perfect for fitting into the model set.
  • They were fascinated by the tininess of the baby turtles.
daintiness

Conveys a sense of delicate beauty or gracefulness, usually referring to something small and pretty. Often used to describe people, objects, or behaviors.

  • Her daintiness was evident in the way she arranged the flowers.
  • The teacups were admired for their exquisite daintiness.

Examples of usage

  • The diminutiveness of the toy car made it cute and appealing.
  • Her diminutiveness made her seem fragile and delicate.
  • The diminutiveness of the puppy made everyone want to cuddle it.
  • The room appeared even smaller due to the diminutiveness of the furniture.
  • She was often underestimated due to her diminutiveness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the Latin word 'diminutivus', which means 'causing to lessen'.
  • The word relates closely to 'diminish', which means to make smaller.
  • Often used in linguistics to describe forms of words that indicate small size, like 'kitty' for cat.

Literature

  • In literature, authors often use diminutiveness to create endearing characters, such as small creatures or young protagonists.
  • The use of diminutive forms adds emotional depth, making characters seem more innocent or vulnerable.
  • Writers may employ diminutiveness in tone and style to evoke a sense of nostalgia or whimsy.

Psychology

  • Research shows that small objects can evoke feelings of warmth and affection, making people more likely to engage positively.
  • The perception of diminutive size can influence how we view power dynamics, often associating smallness with innocence or helplessness.
  • Diminutiveness in language can foster friendliness and approachability in communication.

Pop Culture

  • In animation and children’s media, characters with diminutive sizes are often depicted as humorous or clever, such as the Minions.
  • The cute factor of small animals, showcased in social media and viral videos, leverages the concept of diminutiveness to create shareable content.
  • The popularity of 'mini' versions of well-known brands speaks to societal love for anything that appears small and adorable.

Art

  • Artists often create miniature sculptures or paintings to showcase intricate details that captivate viewers' attention.
  • The contrast between large and small objects in artworks can create powerful statements about scale and perception.
  • In photography, focusing on diminutive subjects can create a sense of intimacy and personal connection with the viewer.

Translations

Translations of the word "diminutiveness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 diminutividade

🇮🇳 सूक्ष्मता

🇩🇪 Kleinheit

🇮🇩 kekecilan

🇺🇦 мініатюрність

🇵🇱 małość

🇯🇵 小ささ (ちいささ)

🇫🇷 petitesse

🇪🇸 diminutividad

🇹🇷 küçüklük

🇰🇷 작음

🇸🇦 صغر

🇨🇿 malost

🇸🇰 malosť

🇨🇳 微小性 (wēi xiǎo xìng)

🇸🇮 majhnost

🇮🇸 smæð

🇰🇿 кішкентайлық

🇬🇪 წვრილფეხა

🇦🇿 balacalığı

🇲🇽 diminutividad