Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “minimum” come from?

Minimum comes from Latin minimum, the neuter singular form of minimus meaning smallest or least.

minimum (English): The lowest limit; The smallest amount; A period...

Definitions

  1. The lowest limit; The smallest amount; A period...

Ancestry of “minimum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinminimumaccusative masculine singular of minimus;...
2Latinminimusleast, smallest
3Proto-Indo-European*(s)mey(h₁)-—

Words derived from “minimum”

  • minimal
  • min
  • minimally
  • minimalist
  • minima
  • minimalism
  • minimality
  • subminimum
  • minimalization
  • nonminimum
  • nonminimal
  • minimalize
  • subminimal
  • ultraminimal
  • minarchy
  • minimalisation
  • postminimalist
  • postminimalism
  • minimumweight
  • postminimal
  • quasiminimal
  • ultraminimalist
  • nonminimally
  • protominimalist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mey(h₁)- →