lilliputian
UK[ˌlɪlɪˈpjuːʃ(ə)n]US[ˌlɪlɪˈpjuːʃ(ə)n]
adj
extremely small; diminutive.
n
a very small person or thing.
Etymology
the word originates entirely from 'lilliput', the fictional island of tiny inhabitants in jonathan swift's 1726 satirical novel "gulliver's travels." swift likely invented the name 'lilliput' for its whimsical, diminutive sound. by the mid-18th century, the adjective 'lilliputian' was formed by adding the common english suffix '-ian' (meaning "belonging to or relating to") to the proper noun. the term's meaning evolved from "of or relating to lilliput" to the general sense of "very small," as the fictional land became a universal cultural reference for miniature size.
Analysis
this is a proper noun converted into a common word. it is not productively formed from smaller, free morphemes in english.
Examples
the artist specialized in lilliputian sculptures, carving intricate scenes onto single grains of rice.
from the airplane window, the cars and houses looked lilliputian.
their disagreement was over a lilliputian detail that had no bearing on the overall project.