1. As a noun:
* A diminutive is a word that indicates something is smaller, younger, or less important than the word it derives from.
* Examples: "kitten" (smaller than "cat"), "duckling" (younger than "duck"), "booklet" (smaller than "book").
* It can also refer to a person or thing that is small or insignificant.
* Example: "She was a diminutive figure next to her towering husband."
2. As an adjective:
* Diminutive describes something that is small in size or importance.
* Example: "The town's diminutive population of only 500 people."
Here are some important points about diminutives:
* They are often formed by adding suffixes to existing words. Common suffixes include:
* "-let" (booklet, piglet)
* "-ling" (duckling, darling)
* "-ie" (birdie, doggie)
* "-y" (kitty, doggy)
* Diminutives can sometimes be used affectionately or to express a sense of endearment.
* Example: "My little birdie."
* Not all diminutive words are necessarily small in size. Some are simply used to indicate a sense of intimacy or familiarity.
* Example: "Mommy" is a diminutive form of "mother."
In short, "diminutives" are words or things that are smaller, less significant, or more endearing than their original forms.