a name used to denote those persons whose confessions before the inquisition (q.v.) were defective and imperfect. There were three kinds of diminutos, who were condemned to die:
1. Those who, having accused themselves after being imprisoned, or, at least, before sentence of condemnation had passed upon them, had consequently time to examine themselves and make a complete declaration.
2. Those who did not confess till after sentence of condemnation had passed upon them.
3. Those who did not confess until they were given up to the confessors. These were never afterwards put to the torture, and could only be delivered from death by naming all their accomplices without a single exception.