minimum English · revision 3954

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1646|origins=la minimus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmɪn.ɪ.məm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|minimum|t=smallest (thing)]], the neuter of [[m|la|minimus|t=smallest, least]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) earlier minumus,^(Barnhart 1988) the superlative of [[m|la|minor|t=smaller]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*mei-|t=small]].^(Etymonline) The adjective is from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[minor]], [[minus]], [[minimal]] and [[minimize]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The smallest portion into which matter is divisible, an atom, a sense now obsolete: 1663 in the OED and Barnhart,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1660s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates the word to 1646.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “The least amount attainable or allowable” is from 1676,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1670s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) In mathematics, a minimum value, it is from 1743,^(OED 1989) and the lowest point reached by a varying quantity, such as temperature, from 1823.^(OED 1989) The adjective, “of the smallest possible amount”, is from 1810, in Bentham;^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) ''minimal'' is from 1666 and ''minimize'' from 1802, also in Bentham.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1646 – first known use.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1663 – an indivisible particle.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1676 – the least amount allowable.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1743 – in mathematics.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1810 – adjective.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1823 – the lowest point reached.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The least possible quantity or degree.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The lowest amount reached or recorded.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A lower [[limit]] set by law or authority.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In mathematics, the smallest value of a [[function]] or set.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or representing the lowest amount or degree possible or allowed: ''minimum wage''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[maximin]]

+ * [[minimax]]

+ * [[subminimum]]

+ * [[minimum-security]]

+ * [[minimum wage]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[minimal]]

+ * [[minimize]]

+ * [[minimise]]

+ * [[minor]]

+ * [[minus]]

+ * [[minim]]

+ * [[maximum]]

+ * [[minute]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}