Diminutivize

/dɪˈmɪnjətɪvaɪz/ verb

Definition

To make something smaller or to give something a diminutive form, especially in language by adding suffixes that indicate smallness.

Etymology

From diminutive + -ize (a suffix meaning 'to make or become'). This is a relatively modern linguistic term created to describe the process of forming diminutive words.

Kelly Says

In Spanish and Italian, diminutivize is incredibly common—adding -ito or -ello to words is how speakers express affection or smallness, but English rarely uses this process, making the verb almost unnecessary in everyday speech.

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