Diminutive means small. A diminutive person is short and small. A diminutive word is a “cute” version of a word or name: for example, “duckling” is a diminutive of “duck”, Diminutive comes from the Latin word minuere, “to lessen,” from which we also get our modern word miniature; both words mean “very small.” The related noun diminution refers to a reduction or lessening which makes something smaller.
– The diminution in my food supply made me worry that we would run out before the end of my hiking trip.
– Bobby tripped and fell on one of Susie’s diminutive toy cars, which were scattered across the floor.
– Because he was very tall, Greg could not easily fit into the diminutive convertible.
– I know when Lisa wants to soften me up to do her a favor, because she usually uses the diminutive of my name.
tiny, miniature, little, mini
giant, colossal, enormous
1. similar in some respects; 2. in biology, used to describe parts of the body that have the same functions but work independently of one another. Essentially, things that are analogous are closely linked, but aren’t necessarily the same. Use analogous to compare things that are similar in some respects, but essentially dissimilar, as in, “a brain and a computer are analogous.” The related noun analogy is a comparison between two similar things. Analogy and metaphor are similar in meaning.
– American football and rugby are considered to be analogous sports.
– This report is analogous to the one you handed in last week, but I found it to be much more concise.
– The wings of a bee and the wings of a hummingbird are analogous.
– It is sometimes easier to explain an abstract concept by using an analogy with something concrete and easier to understand.
similar, corresponding, resembling,