comminute (v.)

"make (solids) small or fine, reduce to a fine powder," 1620s, from Latin comminutus, past participle of comminuere "to lessen, break into smaller parts," from com "with, together" (see com-) + minuere "to make smaller" (from PIE root *mei- (2) "small"). Related: Comminuted; comminuting; comminution (1570s, from Latin comminutionem).