minim

UK: /ˈmɪnɪm/ US: /ˈmɪnəm/ ,(min′əm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

min•im /ˈmɪnəm/   n. [countable]

1. Weights and Measures the smallest unit of liquid measure, 1&sfracdenom;60&sfracend; of a fluid dram, roughly equivalent to one drop. Abbr.: min,min.

See -min-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

min•im  (min′əm), n. 

1. Weights and Measures the smallest unit of liquid measure, ¹⁄₆₀ of a fluid dram, roughly equivalent to one drop. Abbr.: min, min.;
   Symbol:
2. Music and Dance a note, formerly the shortest in use, but now equivalent in time value to one half of a semibreve;
   half note. See illus. under note. 
3. the least quantity of anything.
4. something very small or insignificant.
5. Religion (cap.) a member of a mendicant religious order founded in the 15th century by St. Francis of Paola.

adj. 

6. smallest.
7. very small.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

minim / ˈmɪnɪm/ noun

1. a unit of fluid measure equal to one sixtieth of a drachm. It is approximately equal to one drop
   Symbol: M,
   Symbol:
2. a note having the time value of half a semibreve
3. a small or insignificant person or thing
4. a downward stroke in calligraphy

Etymology: 15th Century (in its musical meaning): from Latin minimus smallest