First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1minute
noun min·ute \ˈmi-nət\
: a unit of time equal to 60 seconds : one 60th of an hour
: a brief period of time
: the distance that can be traveled in a minute
Full Definition of MINUTE
1
a : the 60th part of an hour of time : 60 seconds b : the 60th part of a degree of angular measure
2
: the distance one can traverse in a minute
3
: a short space of time : moment
4
a : a brief note (as of summary or recommendation) b : memorandum, draft c plural : the official record of the proceedings of a meeting
See minute defined for English-language learners
See minute defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MINUTE
Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin minuta, from Latin minutus small, from past participle of minuere to lessen — more at minor
Related to MINUTE
Rhymes with MINUTE
2minute
verb
min·ut·edmin·ut·ing
Definition of MINUTE
transitive verb
: to make notes or a brief summary of
First Known Use of MINUTE
1601
Rhymes with MINUTE
acute, astute, Asyût, bear fruit, beetroot, Beirut, birthroot, bloodroot, breadfruit, butut, cahoot, Canute, catsuit, cheroot, choucroute, clubroot, commute, compute, confute, crapshoot, cube root, deaf-mute, depute, dilute, dispute, dry suit, elute, en route, enroot, flight suit, folkmoot, freeboot, galoot, grapefruit, G suit, hardboot, hip boot, hirsute, imbrute, impute, jackboot, jackfruit, jumpsuit, kashruth, lawsuit, long suit, lounge suit, nonsuit, offshoot, outshoot, Paiute, pantsuit, permute, playsuit, pollute, pursuit, recruit, refute, repute, salute, sans doute, seaboot, snowsuit, solute, square root, star fruit, star route, statute, strong suit, sunsuit, sweat suit, swimsuit, take root, taproot, to boot, tracksuit, trade route, transmute, tribute, uproot, volute, wet suit, zoot suit
3minute
adjective mi·nute \mī-ˈnüt, mə-, -ˈnyüt\
: very small
: very complete and precise
mi·nut·ermi·nut·est
Full Definition of MINUTE
1
: very small : infinitesimal
2
: of small importance : trifling
3
: marked by close attention to details
— mi·nute·ness noun
See minute defined for English-language learners
Origin of MINUTE
Latin minutus
First Known Use: 1606
Related to MINUTE
- Synonyms
- blow-by-blow, circumstantial, elaborate, full, detailed, particular, particularized, thorough
- Antonyms
- compendious, summary
Synonym Discussion of MINUTE
small, little, diminutive, minute, tiny, miniature mean noticeably below average in size. small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number <a relatively small backyard>. little is more absolute in implication often carrying the idea of petiteness, pettiness, insignificance, or immaturity <your pathetic little smile>. diminutive implies abnormal smallness <diminutive bonsai plants>. minute implies extreme smallness <a minute amount of caffeine in the soda>. tiny is an informal equivalent to minute <tiny cracks formed in the painting>. miniature applies to an exactly proportioned reproduction on a very small scale <a dollhouse with miniature furnishings>.
circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.
circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.
MINUTENESS Defined for Kids
1minute
noun min·ute \ˈmi-nət\
Definition of MINUTE for Kids
1
: a unit of time equal to 60 seconds : the 60th part of an hour
2
: moment 1 <Can you wait a minute?>
3
: one of 60 equal parts into which a degree can be divided for measuring angles
4
minutes plural : a brief record of what was said and done during a meeting
2minute
adjective mi·nute \mī-ˈnüt, mə-, -ˈnyüt\
mi·nut·ermi·nut·est
Definition of MINUTE for Kids
1
: very small : tiny <minute particles of dust>
2
: marked by or paying attention to small details <a minute description>
— mi·nute·ly adverb <He lifted the wand and examined it minutely … — J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire>
Headscratcher for MINUTE
Depending on how you pronounce minute it has one of two different meanings. When the “u” is short, a minute is a short period of time made up of 60 seconds. When the “u” is long, minute means very tiny. Either way, it's something small.
Medical Dictionary
minute
noun min·ute \ˈmin-ət\
Medical Definition of MINUTE
: a 60th part of an hour of time or of a degree
Learn More About MINUTE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: minute handPrevious Word in the Dictionary: minus signAll Words Near: minute
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up minute? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).