Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - minute

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin minuta, from Latin minutus small, from past participle of minuere to lessen — more at minor  Date: 14th century  1.  a. the 60th part of an hour of time ; 60 seconds  b. the 60th part of a degree of angular measure  2. the distance one can traverse in a ~  3. a short space of time ; moment  4.  a. a brief note (as of summary or recommendation)  b. memorandum, draft  c. plural the official record of the proceedings of a meeting  II. transitive verb  (~d; minuting)  Date: 1601 to make notes or a brief summary of  III. adjective  (~r; -est)  Etymology: Latin minutus  Date: 1606  1. very small ; infinitesimal  2. of small importance ; trifling  3. marked by close attention to details  Synonyms: see small, circumstantial  • ~ness noun