Middle English Dictionary Entry
dī̆minūtī̆f adj. & n.
Entry Info
| Forms | dī̆minūtī̆f adj. & n. Also diminitif. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Gram. A derivative word denoting a small kind of the primitive, a diminutive; also noun ~.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)273b/a : Bubalus is dymynytyfe of bos [L est a boue diminutiue dictus].
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)303a/b : Vermiculus is a noune dymynutif and comeþ of þis noune vermis.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)330b/b : Cista is a litil hucche, and of þat name comeþ a dymynutyf, cistella.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)21b/a : Diminut[um]: diminutyf.
2.
Math. nombre ~, a number whose parts when added total less than the number itself.
Associated quotations
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)327a/b : The parties of a nombre diminutif makeþ lasse nombre þan it silf, as it fareþ of þe nombre of ten, þat haþ þre parties; þe tenþe party is oon, the fyue is tweyne, and þe half is fyue, and oon, tweyne, and fyue makeþ eighte, þat is moche lasse þan ten.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Revise the gloss in sense 2.: Math. nombre ~, a number, the sum of whose aliquot parts totals less than the number itself.--per MLL