minim (n.)

mid-15c., in music, "a half-note" (in early medieval music the shortest note used), from Latin minimus "smallest, least; minute, trifling, insignificant;" of time, "least, shortest, very short;" of age, "youngest;" as a noun, "least price, lowest price," superlative of minor "smaller" (from PIE root *mei- (2) "small"). Calligraphy sense "short down-stroke of the pen in making m, n, u, etc." is from c. 1600.