minim

Everyday

1. (music, UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland) A note that lasts for two beats in common time; in the US it is called a «half note». tree →
2. (old measure) A tiny unit of liquid, about one drop. tree →
3. (handwriting) A short downward stroke of the pen, as in the letters m, n, u and i. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons, children learn note values: semibreve (4 beats), minim (2 beats), crotchet (1 beat), quaver (half a beat). A minim looks like a hollow oval with a stem. In maths and music together: two minims fill a 4/4 bar, or one minim equals two crotchets. Phrases: «a minim rest», «dotted minim» (3 beats).

Examples

• A minim lasts for two beats. tree →
• Two minims fill one bar in 4/4 time. tree →
• A dotted minim lasts for three beats. tree →
• The minim looks like an empty circle with a stick. tree →
• In America, a minim is called a half note. tree →
• One minim equals two crotchets. tree →
• Hold the minim for two counts: «one, two». tree →
• The song ends on a long minim. tree →

Note

Countable: one minim, two minims. UK names vs US names: semibreve = whole note, minim = half note, crotchet = quarter note, quaver = eighth note. Maths: a dotted note is worth 1½ times the note (dotted minim = 2 + 1 = 3 beats). Do not confuse with «minimum».