Smallere

Smallere is a historical spelling variant of the English adjective small used to form the comparative. It is primarily documented in Early Modern English orthography, where scribes and print studios sometimes rendered the comparative ending with the letter combination -ere rather than the modern -er. In practice, smallere functions the same as smaller, indicating a smaller degree or amount.

Etymology and form: the word derives from the Old English smæl, meaning small. The comparative suffix in English has often appeared as -er or -ere depending on dialect, period, and orthographic convention. Smallere represents an older or alternative spelling of the same comparative form, not a distinct lexical item.

Usage and distribution: smallere is not a separate word with a distinct meaning in modern English. Its occurrence is largely confined to historical texts, glossaries, or linguistic discussions about orthography and variation in Early Modern English. In contemporary editions, the form is usually presented as a variant spelling or noted in remarks on spelling practices of the period.

Modern status: today, smallere is considered archaic and obsolete in standard English. It offers insight into historical spelling conventions and the processes by which English orthography standardized around the -er suffix for the comparative form.

See also: English comparative forms; Early Modern English spelling; orthographic variation; Old English origins of English adjectives.

References: standard etymological and philological dictionaries and histories of the English language discuss orthographic variants like smallere in the context of historical spelling practices.