Word Study
hypocoristic
CIDE DICTIONARY
hypocoristic, a. [Gr. ; under + to caress.].
Endearing; diminutive; as, the hypocoristic form of a name. [1913 Webster]
"The hypocoristic or pet form of William." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
hypocoristic, adj. Gram. of the nature of a pet name.
Etymology
Gk hupokoristikos f. hupokorizomai call by pet names
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