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minuteness

 - 5 dictionary results

mi⋅nute

2  [mahy-noot, -nyoot, mi-]
Use minuteness in a Sentence
–adjective -nut⋅er, -nut⋅est.
1. extremely small, as in size, amount, extent, or degree: minute differences.
2. of minor importance; insignificant; trifling.
3. attentive to or concerned with even the smallest details: a minute examination.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME < L minūtus (ptp. of minuere to make smaller or fewer), equiv. to minū- verb s. + -tus ptp. suffix. See minus, minor

Related forms:
mi⋅nute⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. tiny, infinitesimal, minuscule. See little. 3. detailed, exact, precise.

Antonyms:
1. large. 3. rough, general.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To minuteness
mi·nute 2   (mī-nōōt', -nyōōt', mĭ-)   
adj.  

  1. Exceptionally small; tiny. See Synonyms at small.

  2. Beneath notice; insignificant.

  3. Characterized by careful scrutiny and close examination: held a minute inspection of the grounds.


[Middle English, from Latin minūtus, past participle of minuere, to lessen; see mei-2 in Indo-European roots.]
mi·nute'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

minute  (n.)
1377, "sixtieth part of an hour," from O.Fr. minut, from M.L. minuta "minute, short note," from L. minuta, fem. of minutus "small, minute" (see minute (adj.)). In M.L., pars minuta prima "first small part" was used by mathematician Ptolemy for one-sixtieth of a circle, later of an hour (next in order was secunda minuta, which became second (n.)). The pl. minutes "record of proceedings" developed c.1710, perhaps from L. minuta scriptura "rough notes," lit. "small writing."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: min·ute
Pronunciation: 'mi-n&t
Function: noun
1 : a brief note (as of summary or recommendation)
2 : MEMORANDUM 1
3 plural : the official record of the proceedings of a meeting or court
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: min·ute
Pronunciation: 'min-&t
Function: noun
: a 60th part of an hour of time or of a degree
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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