mi·nute¹ / ˈminit/ • n. 1. a period of time equal to sixty seconds or a sixtieth of an hour: he stood in the shower for twenty minutes in ten minutes' time he could be on his way. ∎  the distance covered in this length of time by someone driving or walking: the hotel is situated just ten minutes from the center of the resort. ∎ inf. a very short time: come and sit down for a minute. ∎  an instant or a point of time: she had been laughing one minute and crying the next.2. (also arc minute or minute of arc) a sixtieth of a degree of angular measurement (symbol: ′).PHRASES: any minute (or at any minute) very soon.by the minute (esp. of the progress of a change) very rapidly: matters grew worse by the minute.just (or wait) a minute1. used as a request to delay an action, departure, or decision for a short time, usually to allow the speaker to do something: wait a minute—I have to put my makeup on.2. as a prelude to a challenge, query, or objection: just a minute—where do you think you're going?the minute (or the minute that) as soon as: let me know the minute he returns.not for a minute not at all: don't think for a minute that our pricing has affected our quality standards.this minute (or this very minute) inf. at once; immediately: pull yourself together this minute.ORIGIN: late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin minuta, feminine (used as a noun) of minutus ‘made small.’ The senses ‘period of sixty seconds’ and ‘sixtieth of a degree’ derive from medieval Latin pars minuta prima ‘first minute part.’mi·nute² / mīˈn(y)oōt; mə-/ • adj. (-nut·est) extremely small: a minute fraction of an inch. ∎  so small as to verge on insignificance: he will have no more than a minute chance of exercising significant influence. ∎  (of an inquiry or investigation, or an account of one) taking the smallest points into consideration; precise and meticulous: a minute examination of the islands.DERIVATIVES: mi·nute·ly adv.mi·nute·ness n.mi·nute³ / ˈminit/ • n. (minutes) a summarized record of the proceedings at a meeting. ∎  an official memorandum authorizing or recommending a course of action.• v. [tr.] record or note (the proceedings of a meeting or a specified item among such proceedings): the Secretary shall minute the proceedings of each meeting.