minimum Latin · revision 30946

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=234–149 BC, Cato|origins=ine-pro *meyh₁-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''minimum''' ''n'' (genitive minimī); second declension (noun)^(Gaffiot 2016); '''minimum''' (adverb)^(OLD 2012)

+ The OLD also records the spelling ''minumum''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the neuter of [[m|la|minimus|t=smallest, least]], used as a noun and an adverb.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) De Vaan derives ⟨minimus⟩ from the stem of [[m|la|minor|t=smaller]], from [[itc-pro|*minōs|t=less]]; behind it lie a comparative [[ine-pro|*meyh₁-yos-|t=less]] and the root [[ine-pro|*meyh₁-|t=small, to lessen]] of [[grc|μείων|tr=meíōn|t=smaller]] and [[got|𐌼𐌹𐌽𐍃|tr=mins|t=less]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) 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;^(OLD 2012) ''cum minimum'' and ''ut minimum'' mean the same.^(OLD 2012) 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.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato in the sense “as little as possible”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro in the sense “at least”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of the least amount.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy: ''nōn minimum'', “not least”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The smallest amount, very little;^(Gaffiot 2016) ''minimī'' or ''minimō'', at the lowest value.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In the least degree, very little;^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) ''nōn minimum'', especially.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # For the shortest time.^(OLD 2012)

+ # At least;^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) ''cum minimum'', ''ut minimum'', at the lowest count.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[minimus]]

+ * [[minor]]

+ * [[parvus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}