minute Latin · revision 34170

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=234–149 BC, Cato|origins=la minuō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''minūtē''' (comparative minūtius, superlative minūtissimē)^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|minūtus|-ē|t1=small; petty]], the adverb of the adjective,^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014) which is the participle of [[m|la|minuō|t=to make smaller, lessen]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives that verb from [[itc-pro|*minu-je/o-|t=to lessen]] and [[ine-pro|*mi-n(e)-h₁-|t=to make less]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The earliest quotation is from Cato's De agricultura, ''infriato quam minutissime'', “crumble it in as finely as possible”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Cato also has the soil dug finely.^(Conte 2010)^(Gaffiot 2016) Lucretius uses it in explaining Anaxagoras' theory that kinds of plants lie hidden in tiny form in clods,^(OLD 2012) and Seneca of a history written in very small letters.^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) In rhetoric it is “in a petty style”: Cicero says the orator will not speak of great things meanly;^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Quintilian uses the comparative of examining things with finer distinctions.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Medieval writers in Britain use it of grinding small and of a thin voice.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato has ''quam minūtissimē'', “as finely as possible”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of things on a tiny scale.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a petty style.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca writes of a history in tiny script.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of fine distinctions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Into small pieces, [[m|en|finely]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # On a small scale; in small writing.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # In a [[m|en|petty]] style, meanly.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # With fine distinctions, [[m|en|minutely]].^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Thinly (of a voice).^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[minūtus]]

+ * [[minuō]]

+ * [[minūtim]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}