minute-book

The secretary writes the meeting minutes in the minute-book.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A book for recording minutes: A "minute-book" is a bound volume or ledger in which the official written record of the proceedings, decisions, and resolutions of a meeting, committee, or organization is kept. The term "minutes" refers to the formal notes taken during such gatherings.

Usage Examples

• (The official record of the meeting was stored in this book.)
• (Changes to regulations are documented in this ledger.)
• (A historical record of past meetings.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep a minute-book": to maintain the official record of meetings.

  • As the clerk, her primary duty was to keep the minute-book accurately. (She was responsible for recording all meeting details.)

• "to enter into the minute-book": to formally record a decision or event.

  • The resolution was entered into the minute-book by a unanimous vote. (The decision was officially documented.)

Variants and Related Words

• Minute (noun): a formal written record of a meeting; also a unit of time (60 seconds). In the context of "minute-book," "minute" refers specifically to the meeting record.

  • The minutes of the last meeting were approved without changes. (The official notes from the meeting.)

• Minute (verb): to record or note something in written form.

  • She minuted the chairman's opening remarks. (She wrote down the chairman's words.)

• Minute-taking (noun): the act of recording minutes during a meeting.

  • Effective minute-taking requires careful listening and concise writing. (The skill of documenting meeting proceedings.)

Synonyms

• Record book: a general term for a book used to keep written records.
• Proceedings log: a book containing a chronological record of events or discussions.
• Journal of minutes: a formal term for a minute-book.

Related Idioms

• "The minute-book is closed": a figurative expression meaning that a decision or matter is final and no further discussion or change is possible.

  • After the vote, the minute-book is closed on that proposal. (The matter is settled and cannot be reopened.)

• "To read the minute-book": to review the official records of past meetings, often to understand precedents or past decisions.

  • Before the new policy was drafted, the committee read the minute-book to see how similar issues were handled before. (They consulted historical records.)