minute
Definitions
A unit of time equal to sixty seconds.
分钟（60 秒）。
A very short period of time; a moment.
片刻，一会儿。
(minutes) the written record of a meeting.
（minutes）会议记录。
Extremely small; tiny (pronounced mai-NEWT).
微小的，极小的（读作 mai-NEWT）。
Extremely detailed and careful: minute examination.
极其详尽细致的：minute examination。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin minūtus, 'made small, finely divided.' The adjective minute (mai-NEWT) keeps that original sense: minutely tiny, or so detailed it deals with tiny parts. The time unit minute (MIN-it) is the same word: medieval astronomers split the hour into sixty pars minūta prīma, 'first small parts' — small pieces of an hour. Same spelling, two pronunciations, one idea of 'small.'
Root minu still carries 49 more wordsUsage Guide
Two stress/pronunciation patterns split the meanings: MIN-it /ˈmɪnɪt/ = the time unit and 'moment'; mai-NEWT /maɪˈnjuːt/ = 'tiny / highly detailed.' They are spelled identically, so rely on context. Also note the plural 'minutes' meaning meeting notes — always plural, takes a singular or plural verb depending on sense.
Example Sentences
- 1.
I'll be ready in five minutes.
- 2.
Can you wait a minute while I finish this?
- 3.
The secretary took the minutes of the meeting.
- 4.
Only minute traces of the chemical were found.
- 5.
She gave a minute account of everything she saw.