Min″im (?), n. [F. minime, L. minimus the least, smallest, a superl. of minor: cf. It. minima a note in music. See Minor, and cf. Minimum.]
1. Anything very minute; as, the minims of existence; — applied to animalcula; and the like.
2. The smallest liquid measure, equal to about one drop; the sixtieth part of a fluid drachm.
3. (Zoöl.) A small fish; a minnow.
4. A little man or being; a dwarf. Milton.
5. (Eccl. Hist.) One of an austere order of mendicant hermits or friars founded in the 15th century by St. Francis of Paola.
6. (Mus.) A time note, formerly the shortest in use; a half note, equal to half a semibreve, or two quarter notes or crotchets.
7. A short poetical encomium. Spenser.