tiny English · revision 4241

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|formation=derivation|attested=1598}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtaɪ.ni/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from Middle English [[m|enm|tyne|t=very small]], tine,^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) with the suffix [[-y]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) Tine is of unknown or uncertain origin;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(COED 2004) Etymonline suggests it is from tine “a very short time, an instant” (late 14th century, usually preceded by “a little”), perhaps from Old French tantin, tantinet, as the Middle English Compendium proposes.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “Very small”: 1598 as tynie and 1599 as tiny in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) 1598 in the OED and Merriam-Webster,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and the 1590s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Middle English tyne is first recorded probably before 1400, in The Wars of Alexander, always preceded by little, as in ''a little tyne child''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In early use tiny was usually, and is still often, preceded by little.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) The plural noun ''tinies'', very little children, is attested by 1797.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) As a nickname for a very large man it is from 1931.^(OED 1989) The ''tiny mind'', an insult suggesting a lack of intelligence, is from 1965.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1400 – Middle English tyne.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1598 – very small.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1797 – ''tinies'', small children.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1931 – a nickname for a big man.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Extremely small; [[minute]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tininess]]

+ * [[tinily]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[teeny]]

+ * [[tine]]

+ * [[wee]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}