mini English · revision 5250

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1961}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈmɪn.i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of [[minicar]], or from the prefix [[mini-]],^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) itself from [[miniature]], reinforced by [[minimum]].^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) The adjective is partly a shortening of miniature.^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A small car: 1961 in the OED and Etymonline, 1962 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline ties it to the mini-car made by the British Motor Corporation.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, very small, is from 1963.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) As a shortening of miniskirt the noun is from 1966.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) A minicomputer is from the late 20th century.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1961 – a small car.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1963 – adjective, very small.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1966 – a miniskirt.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something much smaller than others of its kind.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[miniskirt]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A small car.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Very small, [[miniature]].^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mini-]]

+ * [[micromini]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[miniature]]

+ * [[minimum]]

+ * [[minor]]

+ * [[miniskirt]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}