hypocoristic

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὑποκοριστικός (hupokoristikós), from ὑποκορίζομαι (hupokorízomai, “I speak in the language of children”), from ὑπό (hupó, “below”) + κορίζομαι (korízomai, “I act like a girl”), from κόρη (kórē, “girl”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌhaɪpəkəˈɹɪstɪk/

Adjective

hypocoristic (comparative more hypocoristic, superlative most hypocoristic)

1. Relating to a nickname, usually indicating intimacy with the person.
2. Relating to baby talk.

Noun

hypocoristic (plural hypocoristics)

1. A nickname, especially one indicating intimacy and formed through a shortening of the original name.

Further reading

• hypocoristic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• hypocoristic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• hypocoristic at OneLook Dictionary Search