How Do You Spell LILLIPUTIAN?

Pronunciation: [lˌɪlɪpjˈuːʃən] (IPA)

The word "lilliputian" is spelled with double "l"s and "i"s followed by "pu". According to the IPA phonetic transcription, the first "i" is pronounced as a short "ɪ" sound, while the second "i" is pronounced as a long "iː" sound. The following "pu" is pronounced as "pju". The word "lilliputian" means very small or tiny, and is often used to describe people or things that are insignificant or unimportant.

LILLIPUTIAN Meaning and Definition

  1. Lilliputian is an adjective that refers to something extremely small or miniature in size. It is derived from the fictional island of Lilliput, created by the Irish author Jonathan Swift in his famous novel "Gulliver's Travels."

    The term lilliputian describes objects, creatures, or ideas that are notably diminutive or tiny when compared to their normal counterparts. It implies a level of extreme smallness that often elicits a sense of awe or fascination. For instance, one might use the term to describe a lilliputian model house, a lilliputian piece of jewelry, or even a lilliputian insect.

    Beyond size, lilliputian can also express ideas related to insignificance or pettiness. It may be used to describe people or actions that are perceived as extremely small or insignificant in impact or importance. This usage often carries a mildly derogatory connotation, as it implies a lack of significance or relevance.

    Furthermore, lilliputian can be employed as a noun to refer to a person, creature, or object that is extremely small in stature or size.

    Overall, lilliputian represents a term that denotes extreme smallness or insignificance, originating from the fictional world created by Jonathan Swift. Whether applied to physical objects, ideas, or actions, this term captures the notion of being exceptionally tiny and often carries nuances of fascination or triviality.

Common Misspellings for LILLIPUTIAN

Etymology of LILLIPUTIAN

The word "Lilliputian" derives from the fictional island of Lilliput described in Jonathan Swift's novel "Gulliver's Travels", published in 1726. In the novel, the protagonist Lemuel Gulliver encounters a race of tiny people called "Lilliputians" on the island. The novel portrays the Lilliputians as exceedingly small in size, serving as a metaphorical representation of pettiness, small-mindedness, and insignificant matters. Over time, the term "Lilliputian" has come to be used generally to describe anything extremely small or unimportant in a figurative sense.

Similar spelling words for LILLIPUTIAN

Plural form of LILLIPUTIAN is LILLIPUTIANS

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