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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Minute

Mi-nūte', a.

adjective

a. [Lat. minutus, p. p. of minuere, to lessen; It. minuto, Sp. menudo, Pg. miudo, Pr. menut, Fr. menu.]

  1. Very small, little, or slender; of inferior bulk, size, or consequence; slight.
  2. Attentive to small things; critical; particular; as, minute observation; minute philosophy.

Syn.—Little; diminutive; fine; critical; exact; circumstantial; particular; detailed.—MINUTE, CIRCUMSTANTIAL, PARTICULAR. A circumstantial account embraces all the leading events; a particular account goes further, and includes each event and movement, though of but little importance; a minute account goes further still, and omits nothing as to person, time, place, adjuncts, &c. “We may be generally satisfied with a circumstantial account of ordinary events; but whatever interests the feelings can not be detailed with too much particularity or minuteness.” Crabb.

Mĭn′ute, n.

noun

(mĭn′it) (Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. minute, It. & Sp. minuto, from Lat. minūtum, i. e., a small portion, from minutus. See supra.]

Sense 1. Something very small; a very slight portion; a jot; a mite; minutia. [Obs.]

Who would have dreamt Of a young morsel now? things come in minutes. Beau. & Fl.

The smallest minute of his expense shall be enough to justify us. Taylor.

Sense 2. Specifically, a small portion of time or duration, being the sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds.

Since you are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Franklin.

Sense 3. (Geom.) The sixtieth part of a degree.

Sense 4. (Arch.) The sixtieth part of the lower diameter of a column.

Sense 5. A short sketch in writing; a brief jotting down; a note to preserve the memory of any thing; as, to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate.

Min'ute, v. t.

verbtransitive

(mĭn'it), v. t. [imp. & p. p. MINUTED; p. pr. & vb. n. MINUTING.] To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a brief summary of.

The Empress of Russia, with her own hand, minuted an edict for universal tolerance. Bancroft.