Minimize
/ˈmɪn.ɪ.maɪz/noun
To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.
Did you know?It ultimately comes from Latin *minimus*, meaning “smallest,” the superlative of *parvus* (“small”), and it entered English through French before becoming the modern verb.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Italic
PIE
*mei-
“to lessen, diminish”
Latin
Latin
minimus
“smallest, least”
Late Latin
Latin
minimare
“to make smaller”
Old French
Old French
minimiser
“to make less, reduce”
16th Century
English
minimize
“to reduce to the smallest amount or importance”
Modern English
English
minimize
“to reduce as much as possible”