minimum

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min·i·mum / ˈminəməm/ • n. (pl. -ma / -mə/ or -mums) [usu. in sing.] the least or smallest amount or quantity possible, attainable, or required: technical difficulties have been kept to a minimum they checked passports with the minimum of fuss. ∎  the lowest or smallest amount of a varying quantity (e.g., temperature) allowed, attained, or recorded: clients with a minimum of $500,000 to invest winter minima of -40 ° C have been recorded. ∎ Math. a point at which a continuously varying quantity ceases to decrease and begins to increase; the value of a quantity at such a point. ∎ Math. the smallest element in a set.• adj. smallest or lowest: this can be done with the minimum amount of effort.PHRASES: at a (or the) minimum at the very least: we zipped along at a minimum of 55 mph.

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