Definition

1. Noun:
   • A unit of time: A period of time equal to sixty seconds or one sixtieth of an hour.
   • A short, indefinite period of time: Used informally to mean a very brief moment.
   • A note or summary: A written record of the main points discussed in a meeting (short for "minutes").
   • A geographical or linguistic term: Any of the forms of the Chinese language spoken in Fujian province. (Note: This is a specialized usage from linguistics).
   • A mythological figure: An Egyptian god of fertility and procreation. (Note: This is a specialized usage from mythology).

Usage Examples

• As a unit of time:
  • The cake needs to bake for 25 min.
  • Wait a min, I'll be right there.
• As a brief moment:
  • I'll be ready in a min.
  • Hold on a min, let me think.
• As a meeting record (short for "minutes"):
  • Could you send me the min from yesterday's meeting?
  • She is responsible for taking the min.

Advanced Usage

• "any min (now)": Very soon, imminently.
  • The bus should be here any min now.
• "the min (that)...": At the exact moment when; as soon as.
  • I knew the min I saw her that something was wrong.
• "up-to-the-min": Containing the very latest information.
  • He always has up-to-the-min news about the tech industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Minute (noun): The full, standard form of the word.
• Minute (adjective /mīˈn(y)o͞ot/): Extremely small; precise and detailed.
  • A minute particle of dust.
  • A minute examination of the evidence.
• Minimum (noun/adjective): The least or smallest amount possible.
  • We need a minimum of three people.
• Minimal (adjective): Of a minimum amount, quantity, or degree.
  • The design is clean and minimal.

Synonyms

• Moment: A very brief period of time.
• Second: A shorter unit of time (60 seconds = 1 minute).
• Instant: A point in time, an extremely short period.
• Jiffy (informal): A very short time.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• (To) minute (verb, rare/formal): To record the proceedings of a meeting.
  • The discussion was minuted by the secretary.

Related Idioms

• Not for a/one min: Not at all; absolutely not.
  • "Did you believe his story?" "Not for a min!"
• At the last min: At the latest possible time before an event.
  • He canceled his trip at the last min.

Noun

1. an Egyptian god of procreation
2. any of the forms of Chinese spoken in Fukien province
3. a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
   • he ran a 4 minute mile