noun
Meaning 1
A name or nickname used to express affection, especially to a child, parent, or other loved one.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
Examples
- 1866, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Birds of Prey, Book 3, Chapter 4, in Belgravia, February, 1867, p. 395, Miss Halliday consented to call her mother’s husband “Papa,” though the caressing name seemed in a manner to stick in her throat.
- 1923, Ernest Jones, “The Theory of Symbolism” in Papers on Psycho-Analysis, New York: William Wood, p. 142, [...] the four ideas that keep recurring in connection with the name ‘punchinello’ are (1) a caressing name for male offspring, equivalent to ‘little man’ [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pet name, term of endearment
Antonyms: none provided