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In the Latin language the diminutive is formed by suffixes affixed to the word
stem. The grammatical gender remains unchanged.
- ‐ulus, ‐ula, ‐ulum, e.g. globulus (globule) from globus (globe).
- ‐culus, ‐cula, ‐culum, e.g. homunculus (little man) from homo (man)
- ‐olus, ‐ola, ‐olum, e.g. malleolus (little hammer) from malleus (hammer)
- ‐ellus, ‐ella, ‐ellum, e.g. libellus (little book) from liber (book)
- ‐illus, ‐illa, ‐illum, e.g. codicilli (writing tablets) from codex (book/block)
Similarly, the diminutive of gladius (sword) is gladiolus, a plant whose leaves look
like small swords.
Adjectives as well as nouns can be diminished, including paululus (very small)
from paulus (small).
Further Examples
rivulus, a streamlet rivus, a brook
filiolus, a little son filius, a son
filiola, a little daughter filia, a daughter
atriolum, a little hall atrium, a hall
auricular, a little ear auris, ear
munusculum, a little gift munus (n), a gift
misellus, rather wretched miser, wretched
aureolus, little golden aureus, golden
parvolus, very small parvus, little
maiusculus, somewhat large maior, larger/greater
Diminutives can also be used to express affection, pity, or contempt: as, deliciolae
(little pet); muliercula (a poor/weak woman); Graeculus (a miserable Greek).