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Why Is a Minute Called a Minute?

Published in Time & Measurement 2 mins read

The word "minute" comes from the Latin word minutus, meaning "small" or "tiny". This is because a minute is a small fraction of an hour.

Here's a breakdown of how the concept of a minute evolved:

Ancient Timekeeping:

  • The Hour: Ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Egyptians divided the day into 24 hours.
  • The Division of the Hour: They further divided the hour into smaller units. The Babylonians, who used a sexagesimal system (base 60), divided the hour into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds.

The Meaning of "Minute":

  • The term "minute" was first used in English in the 14th century. It referred to a small division of time, specifically a sixtieth of an hour.
  • The term "minute" was also used to describe other small things, such as a tiny amount of something or a small detail.

The Evolution of Timekeeping:

  • Over time, the concept of the minute became standardized, and it became a fundamental unit of time measurement.
  • Today, the minute is used in various contexts, from everyday life to scientific calculations.

In summary, a minute is called a minute because it is a small, tiny division of an hour, reflecting its Latin origin "minutus" which means "small".

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