minimum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The lowest limit.

   We prefer candidates with a minimum of 4 years experience in the field.

2. 2
   noun

   The smallest amount.

   He always tries to get away with doing the minimum.

3. 3
   noun

   A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).

   The Maunder minimum of the Sun reportedly corresponded to a period of great cold on Earth.

4. 4
   adj

   the least possible

5. 5
   noun

   the point on a curve where the tangent changes from negative on the left to positive on the right

6. 6
   noun

   the smallest possible quantity

7. 7
   noun

   A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.

8. 8
   noun

   The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin minimum, neuter form of minimus (“least, smallest”).