The standard rule for Latin diminutives is quite straightforward. For nouns of the first or second declension, the regular diminutive suffix is -ulus <\/b>(M), -ula <\/b>(F), or -ulum <\/b>(N), depending upon the gender of the original noun; for words of the third, fourth, or fifth declensions, the suffix is -culus<\/b>, -cula<\/b>, -culum<\/b>. As the suffix will suggest, the gender of the original noun is maintained in the gender of its diminutive.<\/p>\r\n
Let\u2019s first consider the -ulus -ula -ulum<\/b> type. If we take the Latin 1st declension feminine noun forma<\/b> (\u201cshape,\u201d \u201cform\u201d), we discover that its diminutive is form-<\/b> (word base) + -ula<\/b> (suffix) = formula<\/b> (\u201clittle shape,\u201d \u201clittle form\u201d). It was as simple as that, in Latin. From the English vantage point, it\u2019s often slightly harder, because there aren\u2019t many Latin diminutives that have come into English so totally unchanged as formula<\/i>. Let\u2019s try the 2nd declension masculine noun modus<\/b> (\u201cmeasure,\u201d \u201cmanner\u201d); a \u201clittle measure\u201d is a mod-ulus<\/b>, the transparent origin of the English word module<\/i>. In the same fashion, Latin nodus<\/b> (\u201cknot,\u201d \u201cnode\u201d) produced the diminutive nod-ulus<\/b> (\u201clittle knot\u201d), and the English derivative nodule<\/i>. To an ancient Roman, the word circus<\/b> meant the great race-course in the city, the Circus Maximus; a \u201clittle circus\u201d is a circ-ulus<\/b>, only slightly disguised as English circle<\/i>. For a 2nd declension neuter example we can choose granum<\/b>, \u201ca [kernel of] grain.\u201d Its predictable diminutive was gran-ulum<\/b>, English granule<\/i>.<\/p>\r\n
What about the -culus -cula -culum<\/b> suffix of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th declensions? Joined to the original word with or without the connecting vowel -i-<\/b>, it presents no serious problems. If you diminish pars<\/b>, part-is, <\/b>F (\u201cpart\u201d), you get part-i-cula <\/b>(\u201clittle part\u201d), English particle<\/i>. From the 4th declension noun artus<\/b>, M (\u201cjoint\u2019) comes the diminutive art-i-culus<\/b> (\u201clittle joint\u201d), English art<\/i>icle<\/i>.[footnote] In its root origins, artus<\/strong>, M (\u201cjoint\u201d) was related to ars<\/strong>, artis<\/strong>, F (\u201cskill,\u201d \u201cart\u201d). Latin might conceivably have developed a noun *articula<\/strong>, \u201clittle art\u201d; but there is no evidence of such a word.[\/footnote] For 3rd declension neuter nouns like corpus<\/b> or opus<\/b>, the suffix appears added to the nominative form, producing the diminutives corpusculum<\/b> (E corpuscle<\/i>), \u201ca little body,\u201d and opusculum<\/b> (E op<\/i>\u00fa<\/em>scule<\/i>), \u201ca small or trifling work.\u201d The most startling etymology, no doubt, is mus-culus<\/b> (E muscle<\/i>), \u201ca little mouse.\u201d Muscle<\/i> and corpuscle<\/i> are just two of perhaps a hundred or more diminutives that occur in the language of anatomy and medicine.<\/p>","rendered":" The standard rule for Latin diminutives is quite straightforward. For nouns of the first or second declension, the regular diminutive suffix is -ulus <\/b>(M), -ula <\/b>(F), or -ulum <\/b>(N), depending upon the gender of the original noun; for words of the third, fourth, or fifth declensions, the suffix is -culus<\/b>, -cula<\/b>, -culum<\/b>. As the suffix will suggest, the gender of the original noun is maintained in the gender of its diminutive.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s first consider the -ulus -ula -ulum<\/b> type. If we take the Latin 1st declension feminine noun forma<\/b> (\u201cshape,\u201d \u201cform\u201d), we discover that its diminutive is form-<\/b> (word base) + -ula<\/b> (suffix) = formula<\/b> (\u201clittle shape,\u201d \u201clittle form\u201d). It was as simple as that, in Latin. From the English vantage point, it\u2019s often slightly harder, because there aren\u2019t many Latin diminutives that have come into English so totally unchanged as formula<\/i>. Let\u2019s try the 2nd declension masculine noun modus<\/b> (\u201cmeasure,\u201d \u201cmanner\u201d); a \u201clittle measure\u201d is a mod-ulus<\/b>, the transparent origin of the English word module<\/i>. In the same fashion, Latin nodus<\/b> (\u201cknot,\u201d \u201cnode\u201d) produced the diminutive nod-ulus<\/b> (\u201clittle knot\u201d), and the English derivative nodule<\/i>. To an ancient Roman, the word circus<\/b> meant the great race-course in the city, the Circus Maximus; a \u201clittle circus\u201d is a circ-ulus<\/b>, only slightly disguised as English circle<\/i>. For a 2nd declension neuter example we can choose granum<\/b>, \u201ca [kernel of] grain.\u201d Its predictable diminutive was gran-ulum<\/b>, English granule<\/i>.<\/p>\n What about the -culus -cula -culum<\/b> suffix of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th declensions? Joined to the original word with or without the connecting vowel -i-<\/b>, it presents no serious problems. If you diminish pars<\/b>, part-is, <\/b>F (\u201cpart\u201d), you get part-i-cula <\/b>(\u201clittle part\u201d), English particle<\/i>. From the 4th declension noun artus<\/b>, M (\u201cjoint\u2019) comes the diminutive art-i-culus<\/b> (\u201clittle joint\u201d), English art<\/i>icle<\/i>.[1]<\/sup><\/a> For 3rd declension neuter nouns like corpus<\/b> or opus<\/b>, the suffix appears added to the nominative form, producing the diminutives corpusculum<\/b> (E corpuscle<\/i>), \u201ca little body,\u201d and opusculum<\/b> (E op<\/i>\u00fa<\/em>scule<\/i>), \u201ca small or trifling work.\u201d The most startling etymology, no doubt, is mus-culus<\/b> (E muscle<\/i>), \u201ca little mouse.\u201d Muscle<\/i> and corpuscle<\/i> are just two of perhaps a hundred or more diminutives that occur in the language of anatomy and medicine.<\/p>\n