minikin

English

Etymology

From Middle Dutch minnekijn (“darling, beloved”), from minne (“love”) (cf. minnesinger) and the diminutive suffix -kijn.

Noun

minikin (countable and uncountable, plural minikins)

1. (obsolete) A young person, especially a young woman.
2. (obsolete) A small or insignificant person, thing or amount.
3. (obsolete) A little pin.
4. (uncountable, UK printing, dated) The size of type smaller than brilliant, standardized as 3-point.
5. The treble string of a lute.

Synonyms

• (type size): (US) excelsior

Translations

3-point type — see excelsior

Adjective

minikin (comparative more minikin, superlative most minikin)

1. (obsolete) Diminutive or miniature.

Derived terms

• minikin gut