First Known Use: circa 1586
Dictionary
1miniature
noun min·i·a·ture \ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r, ˈmi-ni-ˌchu̇r, ˈmin-yə-, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\
: a very small sculpture, portrait, or painting
Full Definition of MINIATURE
1
a : a copy on a much reduced scale b : something small of its kind
2
: a painting in an illuminated book or manuscript
3
: the art of painting miniatures
4
: a very small portrait or other painting (as on ivory or metal)
— min·i·a·tur·ist \-ˌchu̇r-ist, -chər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-\ noun
— min·i·a·tur·is·tic \ˌmi-nē-ə-chə-ˈris-tik, ˌmi-ni-, ˌmin-yə-, -ˌtyu̇-, -ˌtu̇-\ adjective
— in miniature
: in a greatly diminished size, form, or scale
See miniature defined for English-language learners
See miniature defined for kids
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Origin of MINIATURE
Italian miniatura art of illuminating a manuscript, from Medieval Latin, from Latin miniatus, past participle of miniare to color with minium, from minium red lead
Related to MINIATURE
- Synonyms
- model
Rhymes with MINIATURE
2miniature
adjective
: very small
Full Definition of MINIATURE
: being or represented on a small scale
See miniature defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MINIATURE
1714
Related to MINIATURE
- Synonyms
- atomic, bitsy, bitty, infinitesimal, itty-bitty (or itsy-bitsy), little bitty, microminiature, microscopic (also microscopical), tiny, minuscule, minute, teensy, teensy-weensy, teeny, teeny-weeny, wee, weeny (also weensy)
- Antonyms
- astronomical (also astronomic), colossal, cosmic (also cosmical), elephantine, enormous, giant, gigantic, herculean, heroic (also heroical), huge, immense, mammoth, massive, monster, monstrous, monumental, mountainous, planetary, prodigious, titanic, tremendous
Synonym Discussion of MINIATURE
small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number <a relatively small backyard>. little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity <your pathetic little smile>. diminutive implies abnormal smallness <diminutive bonsai plants>. minute implies extreme smallness <a minute amount of caffeine in the soda>. tiny is an informal equivalent to minute <tiny cracks formed in the painting>. miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale <a dollhouse with miniature furnishings>.
MINIATURISTIC Defined for Kids
1miniature
noun min·i·a·ture \ˈmi-nē-ə-ˌchu̇r, ˈmi-ni-ˌchu̇r\
Definition of MINIATURE for Kids
1
: a copy of something that is much smaller than the original <I made a miniature of the Eiffel Tower.>
2
: a very small portrait or painting
Word History of MINIATURE
Minium was the Latin name for a red pigment used in ancient times. In the days before printed books, this substance was used to decorate manuscripts. The Latin verb meaning to color with minium was miniare. In early Italian, its meaning was broadened to the point where it simply meant “to decorate a manuscript,” and the noun miniatura was used to refer to any manuscript illustration, no matter what color. Since the illustrations in manuscripts (called illuminations) are small by comparison with most other paintings, the word miniature, borrowed into English from Italian miniature, came to mean any small painting, and eventually anything very small.
2miniature
adjective
Definition of MINIATURE for Kids
: very small <miniature books> <a miniature breed of dogs>
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