minimal

adjective

smallest or least possible

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl/ / /ˈmɪn.ə.məl/

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English minimum Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English minimal From minimum + -al.

The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
“With minimal effort, you won't be able to achieve all your dreams.”
The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
“With respect to the ordering induced by set-theoretic inclusion, the power set of the set of natural numbers has a unique minimal element: the empty set.”
Characterised by the use of simple form or structures.
Characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.

noun

Something very small; a tiny part or fragment.
“[…] we seek in explaining mental phenomena and behavior always the "minimals," the little fragments of association, on which the mind is (passively) supposed to be based.”
“[…] identifications with birds, fish, trees, and flowers (and occasionally as relief, with the stillness of rocks, clam shells, driftwood, and nature's minimals); […]”