MIN'IATURE, noun 1. A painting in water colors on vellum, ivory or paper, with points or dots; sometimes in oil colors. The term is usually applied to portraits painted on a very small scale. 2. A picture or representation in a small compass, or less than the reality. 3. Red letter; rubric distinction.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI