minim

noun

min·​im ˈmi-nəm 

1

: half note

2

: something very minute

3

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹/₆₀ fluid dram see Weights and Measures Table

minim adjective

Did you know?

Like the more common minimum, minim derives from the Latin word minimus, meaning "least" or "smallest." Musicians were the first to note its significance in the 15th century as a word for the half note. Chirographers soon adopted it as a word for a single downstroke in penmanship (such as any of the three in the letter m), and after careful analysis, apothecaries prescribed minim as a word for their smallest unit of liquid capacity. English speakers have also embraced minim as a general noun referring to things that are very small and as an adjective meaning "of the smallest size," as in "a minim amount."

Word History

Etymology

Latin minimus least

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

minim

noun

min·​im ˈmin-əm 

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹⁄₆₀ fluid dram see measure

Medical Definition

minim

noun

min·​im ˈmin-əm 

: either of two units of capacity equal to ¹/₆₀ fluid dram:

a

: a United States unit of liquid capacity equivalent to 0.003760 cubic inch or 0.061610 milliliter

b

: a British unit of liquid capacity and dry measure equivalent to 0.003612 cubic inch or 0.059194 milliliter