Both Uses of
diminutive
in
Sense and Sensibility
- Her eagerness to be gone from Norland was preserved from diminution by the evident satisfaction of her daughter-in-law in the prospect of her removal; a satisfaction which was but feebly attempted to be concealed under a cold invitation to her to defer her departure.†
Chpt 5 *
- In such a frame of mind as she was now in, Elinor had no difficulty in obtaining from her whatever promise she required; and at her request, Marianne engaged never to speak of the affair to any one with the least appearance of bitterness;—to meet Lucy without betraying the smallest increase of dislike to her;—and even to see Edward himself, if chance should bring them together, without any diminution of her usual cordiality.†
Chpt 37
Definitions:
-
(1)
(diminutive) very small
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, diminutive can reference a noun modified by as suffix (such as -let, -ette) to indicate smallness such as booklet, piglet, towelette, or cigarette.