minikin
/ˈmɪnɪkɪn
/literary
adjective
Small; insignificant: capable men were devoting their lives to minikin pursuits...
- ‘Oh,’ I heard her murmur on my right, sounding quiet and minikin, and, unable to help it, I peered over, checking to see whether the reaction of a small child to such news was any different from the reaction I got from my peers and adults.
- She thrusts her minikin hands through the willow wands to greet me.
noun
A small person or thing.Your typical Type C is a mirthful minikin (otherwise known as a good-natured, wee or dainty creature)....
- And suddenly there it is, looming in front of you, big as a battleship - it's the U.S.S. Corporate Greed, the Free Traders' Armada, firing a broadside of cannons and bombarding the minikins in its path.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from Dutch minneken, from minne 'love' + -ken -kin.