Mino

/ˈmiːnoʊ/ noun

Definition

A smaller version or image of something; a miniature representation (though 'mino' is not standard modern English—'mini' or 'miniature' are more common).

Etymology

Short form or prefix derived from 'miniature,' which comes from Latin 'minimus' (smallest). The prefix 'mini-' became productive in English in the 20th century for creating diminutive forms.

Kelly Says

The prefix 'mini-' exploded into popular use in the 1960s (miniskirts, minivans, minicomputers), and it's an example of how languages create shortcuts—instead of saying 'small car' repeatedly, we just say 'mini.'

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