n. 1. a. A copy or model that represents or reproduces something in a greatly reduced size. b. Something small of its class. 2. a. A small painting executed with great detail, often on a surface such as ivory or vellum. b. A small portrait, picture, or decorative letter on an illuminated manuscript. c. The art of painting miniatures. adj. Greatly reduced in size or scale. See Synonyms at small. [Italian miniatura, illumination of manuscripts, small painting, from miniare, to illuminate, from Latin miniāre, to color red, from minium, cinnabar, red lead (often used to adulterate cinnabar), probably of pre-Roman Iberian origin (since the Romans obtained most of their cinnabar from Spain); akin to Minius, ancient Roman name of the Miño (Minho) River of Galicia and northern Portugal.] mini·a·tur′ist n. |
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