/ ˈmɪnɪməl; NAmE / adjective
very small in size or amount; as small as possible :
The work was carried out at minimal cost.
There's only a minimal amount of risk involved.
The damage to the car was minimal.
—compare maximal
► min·im·al·ly adverb :
minimally invasive surgery
The episode was reported minimally in the press.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin minimus smallest + -al .