minute

min-ute · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A period of time equal to sixty seconds or a sixtieth of an hour.

  2. 2.

    A very short period of time; a moment.

  3. 3.

    An exact point in time.

  4. 4.

    (geometry) A unit of angular measurement equal to one sixtieth of a degree.

  5. 5.

    Extremely small in size or amount.

  6. 6.

    Precise and careful; paying attention to small details.

Forms

plural: minutes

Related words

Antonyms: hour, huge
See also: hour, moment, second
Synonyms: instant, moment, tiny

Etymology

From Latin "minuta" meaning "small part," from "minutus" (small), past participle of "minuere" (to lessen). The time meaning developed because the minute was the "first small part" of the hour, while the adjective retains the original meaning of "small."