minute1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪnɪt/

noun

  • 1a period of time equal to sixty seconds or a sixtieth of an hour: we waited for twenty minutes I’ll be there in ten minutes' time
  • the distance covered in a minute by someone driving or walking: the hotel is situated just ten minutes from the centre of the resort
  • informal a very short time: come and sit down for a minute
  • a point in time: she was laughing one minute and crying the next
  • 2 (also arc minute or minute of arc) a sixtieth of a degree of angular measurement (symbol: ʹ): Delta Lyrae is a double star with a separation of over 10 minutes of arc

Phrases

any minute (or at any minute)

very soon: a fight seemed likely to break out at any minute

at the minute

British informal at the present time: I’ve got things on my mind at the minute

by the minute

very rapidly: matters grew worse by the minute

just (or wait) a minute

  • 1used as a request to delay an action or decision for a short time: wait a minute—I have to put my make-up on
  • 2used as a prelude to a query or objection: wait a minute—that just isn’t true

the minute (or the minute that)

as soon as: let me know the minute he returns

not for a minute

not at all: he didn’t fool me for a minute

this minute (or this very minute)

informal
  • 1at once; immediately: pull yourself together this minute
  • 2British only a short while ago: I’ve just this minute got back home

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin minuta, feminine (used as a noun) of minutus 'made small'. The senses 'period of sixty seconds' and 'sixtieth of a degree' derive from medieval Latin pars minuta prima 'first minute part'