minimum

minimum
(pl. minima minimums)
  1. [usu. in sing.]the least or smallest amount or quantity possible, attainable, or required
    极小值,最低限度;最低点
    the need for economy keptpackaging to a minimum.
    为节约,尽可能简化了包装。
    they checked passports withthe minimum of fuss.
    他们以最简便的方式检查护照。
    ■the lowest or smallest amount of a varying quantity (e.g. temperature) allowed, attained, or recorded
    最小数;最少量
    clients with a minimum of £500,000 to invest.
    投资至少50万英镑的客户。
adjective
  1. [attrib.]smallest or lowest
    最小的;最少的;最低的
    this can be done with the minimum amount of effort.
    完成这事只需最少的力气。
常用词组
at a (或the) minimum
  1. at the very least
    至少,最少
    we zipped along at a minimum of 55 mph.
    我们以最低每小时55英里速度飞驶。
语源
  1. mid 17th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minimus 'least'
英语宝典
考试词汇表