lilliputian

Etymology

From the name of a fictional island called Lilliput in the novel Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌlɪlɪˈpjuʃən/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

lilliputian (plural lilliputians)

1. A very small person or being.
   • 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], chapter I, in Gulliver’s Travels, volume I, London: Printed for Benj[amin] Motte, OCLC 995220039, part II:

     I reflected what a mortification it must prove to me, to appear as inconsiderable in this nation, as one single Lilliputian would be among us.

Adjective

lilliputian (comparative more lilliputian, superlative most lilliputian)

1. Very small, diminutive
2. Trivial, petty