term of endearment

plural terms of endearment

1. human sciencesA word, phrase, or nickname used as a term of address expressing affection; it is often a diminutive.

   "Kun" is a term of endearment often used in Japan for small boys. Yoshi-kun lived with his parents and grandparents in a house in Takasaki.

   1987 September 20, Nicholas D. Kristof, “Kidnap-Murder of 5-Year-Old Shakes Japan”, in New York Times, retrieved 25 Jun 2013

   2 more examples

   The words had such a softening influence, that he appended a term of endearment to Mrs. Dombey's name (though not without some hesitation, as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said, ‘Mrs. Dombey, my—my dear.’

   1846, Charles Dickens, chapter 1, in Dombey and Son

   The people of Madagascar call him Deba, which means Big Boss. When President Didier Ratsiraka came to power 26 years ago, the moniker was meant as a term of endearment.

   2002 June 16, Simon Robinson, “Tropical Trouble”, in Time

   Synonyms: endearment, endearment · Antonyms: term of abuse