hypocorism

English - English

Definition of hypocorism in English English dictionary

A term of endearment; a pet name

The use of pet names

{i} use of nicknames; pet name, nickname

A form of endearment; a pet name

Hyphenation

hy·po·co·rism

Synonyms

nickname, pet name, sobriquet

Etymology

() Late Latin hypocorisma, a loan from Ancient Greek noun ὑποκόρισμα (hypokórisma) from the verb ὑποκορίζομαι (hypokorízomai, “to talk in a childish manner”). The Ancient Greek verb ὑποκορίζομαι (hypokorízomai) is compounded from ὑπό (hypo-, “under, beneath, secretly”) + κορίζομαι (korízomai, “to caress”). In the verb you can see the word κόρος (kóros, “boy”) or κόρη (kórē, “girl”).