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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Dr. Jones from a small case vial dropped a single minim into a teaspoon and wiped it off upon her tongue.

From Doctor Jones' Picnic by Chapman, S. E. (Samuel E.)

Gentlemen, not a bit of evidence have you had, not a molecule, not a minim, not a mite.

From The Perfume of Eros: A Fifth Avenue Incident by Saltus, Edgar

Digitalis, minim xv;   Syrupi fl. drachm v;   Aqu� fl oz. ii.    M.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

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