minimum

Forms

minimum n (genitive minimī); second declension (noun)^[1]; minimum (adverb)^[2] The OLD also records the spelling minumum.^[2]

Etymology

It is the neuter of minimus (“smallest, least”), used as a noun and an adverb.^[2][1] De Vaan derives ⟨minimus⟩ from the stem of minor (“smaller”), from Proto-Italic *minōs (“less”); behind it lie a comparative Proto-Indo-European *meyh₁-yos- (“less”) and the root Proto-Indo-European *meyh₁- (“small, to lessen”) of Ancient Greek μείων (meíōn, “smaller”) and Gothic 𐌼𐌹𐌽𐍃 (mins, “less”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cato says old vines are to be cut back as little as possible, quam minimum, and olives left on the ground as short a time as possible.^[2]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb it is “in the least degree”, and nōn minimum “especially”: Livy says the king's men were routed not least by the Aetolians.^[2][1] It is also for the shortest time, and “at the lowest count, at least”: Varro says there must be at least two words for an analogy;^[2] cum minimum and ut minimum mean the same.^[2] As a noun it is the smallest amount, as Cicero's quam minimum temporis, as little time as possible, and in the genitive or ablative of value: minimī putāre, to think of the least importance.^[1]

Timeline

• 234–149 BC – Cato in the sense “as little as possible”.^[2][4]
• 116–27 BC – Varro in the sense “at least”.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero of the least amount.^[1][4]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy: nōn minimum, “not least”.^[2][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. The smallest amount, very little;^[1] minimī or minimō, at the lowest value.^[1]

Adverb

1. In the least degree, very little;^[2][1] nōn minimum, especially.^[2][1]
2. For the shortest time.^[2]
3. At least;^[2][1] cum minimum, ut minimum, at the lowest count.^[2][1]

Related words

• minimus
• minor
• parvus

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de