Definition of "hypocoristic" []

• Pertaining to a nickname, usually indicating intimacy with the person. (adjective)
• A nickname, especially one indicating intimacy and formed through a shortening of the original name. (noun)

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• "The initial element _Caed_ -- or _Cead_ (probably adopted from British names in which it represents _catu_, war) appears combined with an Old English terminal element in the name _Caedbaed_ (cp., however, the Irish name Cathbad), and hypocoristic forms of names containing it were borne by the English saints Ceadda (commonly known as St Chad) and his brother Cedd, called Ceadwealla in one MS. of the _Old English"
• "Simple names appear to have been more frequent in early times, but some are in reality hypocoristic, i. e., abbreviated forms of compound names as Saul (asked), David (beloved) Nathan (he gave), etc., which were probably combined with a Divine name, Yah or 'El. Simple Names"
• "It could be a hypocoristic or baby-talk form of hysterical, or it might be from the imitative word hiss; or perhaps it is a variant of another dialect term, jesse, meaning a ` severe scolding, 'which is probably from a Biblical allusion."