hypocoristic

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”).

• IPA^(key): /ˌhaɪpəkəˈɹɪstɪk/

• Audio (UK)

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• Rhymes: -ɪstɪk

hypocoristic (comparative more hypocoristic, superlative most hypocoristic)

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

   English surnames which end in -oe usually began as nicknames, since -oe is a Middle English hypocoristic suffix.

2. Relating to baby talk.

• hypocorism
• hypocoristical
• hypocoristically

hypocoristic (plural hypocoristics)

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

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