Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - diminutive

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere  Date: 14th century  1. a ~ word, affix, or name  2. a ~ individual  II. adjective  Date: 14th century  1. indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible — used of affixes (as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (as Jim), and of altered forms (as Peggy); compare augmentative  2. exceptionally or notably small ; tiny a ~ performer  Synonyms: see small  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun