minikin
Definition
Noun:
- A small, tiny person or thing: "minikin" refers to a diminutive individual or object, often used to emphasize smallness or insignificance.
Adjective:
- Extremely small; diminutive: Describes something that is very tiny in size.
- Affectedly dainty or elaborate: Describes something that is overly delicate, fancy, or showy in a way that seems artificial or exaggerated.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The old woman thought of herself as a mere minikin in the bustling city. (A very small or insignificant person.)
- He collected minikins of porcelain animals for his shelf. (Tiny figurines or objects.)
Adjective:
- The minikin kitten fit perfectly in the palm of her hand. (Extremely small kitten.)
- Her minikin manners at the tea party seemed forced and unnatural. (Overly delicate or affected behavior.)
Advanced Usage
"minikin hand": a very small hand, often used poetically.
- She extended a minikin hand to receive the ring. (Her hand was tiny and delicate.)
"minikin creature": a tiny, often vulnerable being.
- The minikin creature scurried under the leaf. (A very small animal or insect.)
Variants and Related Words
- Minikinness (n): the quality of being very small or affectedly dainty.
- The minikinness of the dollhouse furniture amazed the children. (The extreme smallness of the items.)
Synonyms
- Tiny: extremely small.
- Diminutive: very small in size.
- Petite: small and slender (often used for people).
- Dainty: delicately small and pretty.
- Fussy: overly elaborate or particular in style (for the affected meaning).
Related Idioms
A minikin part: a very minor role or contribution.
- He played only a minikin part in the project, helping with one small task. (A tiny, insignificant role.)
Minikin and mighty: a phrase contrasting small size with great power (rare).
- The minikin and mighty ant carried a leaf many times its weight. (Small but strong.)