minimum

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

▪ I. min·imum AW [minimum minima minimums] adjective, noun BrE [ˈmɪnɪməm] NAmE [ˈmɪnɪməm]
adjective usually before noun (abbr.min.)
the smallest that is possible or allowed; extremely small
•a minimum charge/price
•the minimum age for retirement
• What are your minimum requirements for the job?
• The work was done with the minimum amount of effort.
Opp: ↑maximum

Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minimus ‘least’.
 
noun (pl. min·imaBrE [ˈmɪnɪməmə] ; NAmE [ˈmɪnɪməmə] )countable, usually singular
1. (abbr.min.)the smallest or lowest amount that is possible, required or recorded
• Costs should be kept to a minimum.
• The class needs a minimum of six students to continue.
•As an absolute minimum, you should spend two hours in the evening studying.
•Temperatures will fall to a minimum of 10 degrees.
2. singular an extremely small amount
• He passed the exams with the minimum of effort.
• The room had a minimum of furniture.
Opp: ↑maximum

Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minimus ‘least’.

Example Bank:
•Candidates must have a degree at a minimum.
•He's always done the minimum possible to pass his exams.
•Many people pay the minimum on their credit cards.
•Many states impose an age minimum of eighteen for the death penalty.
•The sun's temperature reached a minimum in the summer of 1981.
•The tent can be put up with the minimum of effort.
•Two fire crews managed to keep damage to a minimum.
•We tried to keep costs down to a minimum.
•a minimum of $20

 
 
▪ II. min·imum adverb
•You'll need £200 minimum for your holiday expenses.
Main entry: ↑minimum_derived

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  minimal, lower limit
• Từ trái nghĩa / Antonyms:
  maximal, maximum, upper limit