1. Something small in size: This is the most common meaning. It refers to something that is much smaller than its usual or standard size. Examples include:
* Miniature golf: A smaller version of regular golf played on a specially designed course.
* Miniature poodle: A small breed of poodle that is much smaller than the standard poodle.
* Miniature painting: A type of painting done on a very small scale, often depicting portraits or scenes.
2. A small model or representation: This meaning refers to a scaled-down replica of something larger. Examples include:
* Miniature car: A small model of a real car.
* Miniature castle: A model of a castle that is much smaller than the real thing.
* Miniature dollhouse: A model of a house made for dolls to live in.
3. To make something smaller: This meaning is used as a verb. Examples:
* I miniatured the image for my presentation.
* The architect miniatured the building plans.
In addition to these core meanings, "miniature" can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is insignificant or trivial. For example, you might say: "His argument was a miniature compared to the real issues at hand."
Overall, "miniature" is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of ways to describe size, scale, and significance.