Diminutive

A diminutive is a formation of a word used to express the smallness of an object or quality.

Examples in English

Diminutives are common in most dialects of English. Terms such as "undies" for underwear and "movie" for "moving picture" are frequently heard terms in English.

Common diminutives are:

• -ey/-ie/-y: dearie, doggy, kitty (this is also the basis of the naming of Brittany, as Minor Britain in reference to its cultural ties to the Celts of Great Britain)
• -ette: diskette, cigarette, kitchenette, suffragette (suffrage)
• -let: piglet, chicklet, applet, eyelet, gauntlet, tablet
• -ling: duckling, gosling
• -s(y): "Wills", Becks
• -a: Macca, Gazza
• -o: Kiddo (small child)