Where does “minimax” come from?

minimax (English) comes from English minimum, from Latin minimum, from Latin minimus, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mey(h₁)-.

minimax (English): In decision theory, game theory, etc. a decision...

Definitions

  1. In decision theory, game theory, etc. a decision...

Ancestry of “minimax”, step by step

minimax traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English minimum

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishminimumThe lowest limit; The smallest amount; A period...
2Latinminimumaccusative masculine singular of minimus;...
3Latinminimusleast, smallest
4Proto-Indo-European*(s)mey(h₁)-

via English maximum

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishmaximumThe highest limit; The greatest value of a set or...
2LatinMaximusthe greatest
3Proto-Italic*magisVmos

Words derived from “minimax

Every word from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mey(h₁)-