Diminutive
in grammar, a word derived from another to express a little thing of the same kind. The diminutive is formed usually by the addition of a syllable, called a diminutive-ending, as et, ette, let, kin, ling, ock, in, y, ie, ille, ule, etc. Thus we have:
Cooky, a small cake.
Rivulet, a small river.
Babykin, a young baby.
Peterkin, little Peter.
Floret, a tiny flower.
Wagonette, a low wagon.
Storiette, a short story.
Molecule, a small mole or mass.
Hillock, a low hill.
Duckling, a young duck.
Gosling, a young goose.
Rivulet, a small river.
Babykin, a young baby.
Peterkin, little Peter.
Floret, a tiny flower.
Wagonette, a low wagon.
Storiette, a short story.
Molecule, a small mole or mass.
Hillock, a low hill.
Duckling, a young duck.
Gosling, a young goose.
Volume II · Aiton’s Encyclopedia