'belittle' originates from English, formed by combining the prefix 'be-' with the adjective 'little' (Old English 'lȳtel'/'lytel'), where 'be-' was used to form verbs and 'little' meant 'small'.

'belittle' first appeared in English in the early 17th century as a verb created from 'be-' + 'little' and has remained relatively stable in form and usage since then.

Initially it meant 'to make small' (in a literal or figurative sense); over time it came to be used specifically for treating someone or something as unimportant or of little value (to disparage).