Diminutive

Etymology

From Latin "diminutivus," from "deminuere" (to lessen), built on de- and "minuere" (to make small), from "minus" (less). It entered English first as a grammatical term for forms like "booklet" or "doggie," then broadened to describe anything strikingly small in size.

adjective · /dih-MIN-yuh-tiv/
Extremely or notably small; in grammar, a word form expressing smallness or affection.
What it names
A neutral, sometimes fond word for the very small — and the technical term for endings like "-let" or "-ie" that shrink or endear a word.
Example
The diminutive figure at the podium turned out to have the loudest voice in the room.
Related idea
Petite flatters small human stature; diminutive is the neutral, sometimes affectionate word for anything notably small — and the grammatical suffix that shrinks a word.