First Known Use: 1850
Dictionary
hypocorism
noun hy·po·co·rism \hī-ˈpä-kə-ˌri-zəm; ˌhī-pə-ˈkȯr-ˌi-\
Definition of HYPOCORISM
1
: a pet name
2
: the use of pet names
— hy·po·co·ris·tic \ˌhī-pə-kə-ˈris-tik\ or hy·po·co·ris·ti·cal \-ti-kəl\ adjective
— hy·po·co·ris·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of HYPOCORISM
Late Latin hypocorisma, from Greek hypokorisma, from hypokorizesthai to call by pet names, from hypo- + korizesthai to caress, from koros boy, korē girl
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