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
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
minims
noun
as in iotas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- iotas
- smidgens
- particles
- trifles
- jots
- mites
- smidges
- dabs
- inches
- smidgeons
- bits
- steps
- smidgins
- crumbs
- hairs
- traces
- hairlines
- necks
- aces
- hairsbreadths
- hairbreadths
- stone's throws
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miles
- long hauls
- infinities
- country miles
- light-years