minim

American  

[min-uhm] / ˈmɪn əm /

noun

1. the smallest unit of liquid measure, 1/60 (0.0167) of a fluid dram, roughly equivalent to one drop. min, min.; ♍, ♏

2. Music. a note, formerly the shortest in use, but now equivalent in time value to one half of a semibreve; half note.

3. the least quantity of anything.

4. something very small or insignificant.

5. (initial capital letter) a member of a mendicant religious order founded in the 15th century by St. Francis of Paola.

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adjective

1. smallest.

2. very small.

minim British  

/ ˈmɪnɪm /

noun

1.  M.  a unit of fluid measure equal to one sixtieth of a drachm. It is approximately equal to one drop

2. Usual US and Canadian name: half-note.  music a note having the time value of half a semibreve

3. a small or insignificant person or thing

4. a downward stroke in calligraphy

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adjective

1. rare very small; tiny

Etymology

Origin of minim

1400–50; late Middle English < Medieval Latin, Latin minimus; as musical term, < Medieval Latin ( nota ) minima; see minimum

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minim

What they meant was that Meredith Willson, 63, was a missed minim who didn't belong on the council.

From Time Magazine Archive

A drop may be half a minim, or as large as two or even three.

From How to Care for the Insane A Manual for Nurses by William D. Granger

And now they throng the moonlight glade, Above, below, on every side, Their little minim forms arrayed In the tricksy pomp of fairy pride!

From Library of the World's Best literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 12 by Various

I repeated the operation in exactly the same manner, and now the drops averaged 1/23.5 of a minim.

From Insectivorous Plants by Charles Darwin

And, on the other hand, for a minim rest, 6f.; a crotchet rest, 3f.; &c.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 17, No. 491, May 28, 1831 by Various