Hypocoristic

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ËŒhaɪpÉ™kəˈɹɪstɪk/

Origin

From Ancient Greek ὑποκοριστικός, from ὑποκορίζομαι (hupokorizomai, "I speak in the language of children"), from ὑπό (hupo, "below") + κορίζομαι (korizomai, "I act like a girl"), from κόρη (korē, "girl").

Full definition of hypocoristic

Adjective

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

Related terms

• hypocorism
• hypocoristical
• hypocoristically

Noun

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