Definition of HYPOCORISM

hypocorism

Meanings

Plural: hypocorisms

Noun

  • a name of endearment (especially one using a diminutive suffix)
    • "`Billy' is a hypocorism for `William'"
  • A term of endearment, often a diminutive; a pet name.
  • The formation of terms of endearment or pet names.
  • Baby talk, such as bow-wow for dog and choo-choo for train.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin hypocorisma, a loan from Ancient Greek ὑποκόρισμα (hupokórisma), ὑποκορισμός (hupokorismós, “pet name”), from ὑποκορίζεσθαι (hupokorízesthai), ὑποκορίζομαι (hupokorízomai, “to use a pet name; to act in a childish manner”), from ῠ̔πο- (hŭpo-, prefix indicating a small degree) + κορίζομαι (korízomai, “to caress”) (from κόρος (kóros, “boy; youth”), κόρη (kórē, “girl; young woman”)).

Synonyms

hypocoristic, hypocoristicon, nickname, pet form, pet name, sobriquet

Scrabble Score: 22

hypocorism is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
hypocorism is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hypocorism is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 23

hypocorism is a valid Words With Friends word