miniature

min-i-a-ture · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A thing that is much smaller than normal, especially a small replica or model.

  2. 2.

    A very small, detailed portrait or painting.

  3. 3.

    Very small of its kind; much smaller than usual.

Forms

plural: miniatures

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in miniature — on a small scale; as a smaller version
  • •
    miniature golf — a novelty version of golf with obstacles
  • •
    miniature painting — the art of creating very small detailed paintings

Related words

Antonyms: full-size, life-size
See also: mini, minimal, tiny
Synonyms: model, replica, small-scale

Etymology

From Italian miniatura, from Medieval Latin miniatura ("a rubrication, illumination"), from miniare ("to paint red, to illuminate"), from minium ("red lead, vermilion"). The association with smallness arose because medieval illuminated manuscripts featured tiny, detailed illustrations.