manikin
UK[ˈmæn.ɪ.kɪn]US[ˈmæn.ə.kɪn]
n
a very small person; a dwarf or pygmy.
n
a jointed model of the human body, used by artists or for teaching anatomy; a mannequin.
Morpheme Breakdown
man
kin
man
human
kin
diminutive suffix
Etymology
the word 'manikin' entered english in the mid-16th century from dutch 'manneken', which literally means 'little man'. the dutch term is a diminutive formed from 'man' (man). this formation directly parallels other germanic diminutives. initially, it referred to a dwarf or a small human figure. over time, the meaning expanded to include articulated anatomical models and later to the life-sized dummies used in fashion, the latter sense now more commonly spelled 'mannequin'. the core semantic thread from its origin is the representation of the human form in miniature or as a model.
Analysis
Structure: man (human) + kin (diminutive suffix)
man originates from old english 'mann', meaning 'person, human being', of germanic origin. kin is a diminutive suffix of middle dutch or middle low german origin ('-ken', '-kin'), used to form nouns denoting something small.
Examples
the artist used a wooden manikin to study the proportions of the human form.
in the old tale, a clever manikin outwitted the giant.
medical students often practice on a manikin to learn anatomy.