French word

miniature

Pronunciation

IPA/minjatyʁ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounscale model

Example

C'est une miniature de la cathédrale.

This is a scale model of the cathedral.

Illustration for miniature (scale model)

More examples

Elle veut offrir une miniature à son ami.

She wants to give a scale model to her friend.

Core concept

A small-scale copy that preserves an original's visible form in three dimensions or in an image.

Common phrases

  • acheter une miniature

    buy a scale model

  • offrir une miniature

    give a scale model

  • exposer une miniature

    display a scale model

Similar words

modèle: A model made to show how something is built or shaped.
jouet: An object made for children or others to play with.

Definition in French

Objet reproduit à petite échelle qui représente, en volume ou en image, l'apparence d'un original.

Word origin

French miniature comes through Italian miniatura from Latin minium, the red pigment used in illuminated manuscripts; it first referred to a small decorated image.

Usage tips

  • As a noun, miniature is feminine and normally takes une, as in une miniature de la cathédrale.

Opposites

Related words

  • miniaturiserminiaturizeverb
  • miniaturisationminiaturizationnoun

Word lists with this word