Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MIN-UTE, n. [min'it; L. minutum, that is, a small portion.]

1. A small portion of time or duration, being the sixtieth part of an hour. Since you are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. – Franklin.
2. In geometry, the sixtieth part of a degree of a circle.
3. In architecture, the sixtieth, but sometimes the thirtieth part of a module. – Encyc.
4. A space of time indefinitely small. I will be with you in a minute, or in a few minutes, that is, in a short time.
5. A short sketch of any agreement or other subject, taken in writing; a note to preserve the memory of any thing; as to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate.