hypocorism
9.9
A nickname used by family or friends to show love, for example Billy for William
- noun
- /ˌhaɪpəˈkɔːrɪzəm/
- Specialized
:
hipocorismo
- ‘Billy’ is a hypocorism for ‘William’.
Examples
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A common hypocorism for Elizabeth is 'Liz'.
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She often calls her son by a hypocorism like 'Bobby'.
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In some cultures, a person may be called by a hypocorism more often than by their actual name.
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Many parents use a hypocorism when speaking to their young children.
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Many parents use a hypocorism when speaking to their young children.
-
'Billy' is a hypocorism for 'William'.
-
A common hypocorism for Elizabeth is 'Liz'.
Synonyms
11
2.1
A special short name people use for someone they care about
is the technical term for that affectionate diminutive form
How Affectionate
hypocorism
- Specialized
pet name
11
2.1
- Informal
11
2.1
Surface Forms
hypocorism singular
hypocorisms plural
Etymology
Hypocorism comes from the old Greek word hypokorisma, which meant a 'pet name' or a name used 'with love', so today a hypocorism is a short, friendly form of a name, like 'Billy' for 'William'.