n. & v.
n. 1 the sixtieth part of an hour. 2 a distance covered in one minute (twenty minutes from the station). 3 a a moment; an instant; a point of time (expecting her any minute; the train leaves in a minute). b (prec. by the) colloq. the present time (what are you doing at the minute?). c (foll. by clause) as soon as (call me the minute you get back). 4 the sixtieth part of an angular degree. 5 (in pl.) a brief summary of the proceedings at a meeting. 6 an official memorandum authorizing or recommending a course of action.
v.tr. 1 record (proceedings) in the minutes. 2 send the minutes to (a person). just (or wait) a minute 1 a request to wait for a short time. 2 as a prelude to a query or objection. minute-gun a gun fired at intervals of a minute at funerals etc. minute hand the hand on a watch or clock which indicates minutes. minute steak a thin slice of steak to be cooked quickly. up to the minute completely up to date.
[ ME f. OF f. LL minuta (n.), f. fem. of minutus MINUTE(2): senses 1 & 4 of noun f. med.L pars minuta prima first minute part (cf. SECOND(2)): senses 5 & 6 perh. f. med.L minuta scriptura draft in small writing ]