de minimis
1
8.6
- adjective
- /deɪ ˈmɪnɪmɪs/
- Formal
:
de minimis
- In a series of cases, the D.C. Circuit has developed a principle authorizing agencies to make de minimis exceptions to regulatory requirements.
- de minimis exception
- de minimis exemption
- make de minimis
The number of people that get their news from mainstream media is de minimis.
- The number of people that get their news from mainstream media is de minimis.
- And warehousing them through those later years where they're so debilitated that the quality of life is de minimis at that point.
- But the sales paradigm of tracks was de minimis very small in comparison to what the business used to be.
Examples
-
The judge ruled that the damages were de minimis, meaning they were too minor to require compensation.
-
The second and most important for purposes of this discussion is a de minimis retailer classification.
Academic text (2017) -
I mean, we were talking about a de minimis test here.
Academic text (1997) -
However, the regulation requires separation of such transactions unless an element is de minimis.
Academic text (2018) -
The court found that the term "use" should be understood to authorize de minimis exceptions.
Academic text (2001) -
Here the court spoke in more ambitious terms, showing considerable enthusiasm for de minimis exemptions.
Academic text (2001) -
Perhaps we can find some agreed-upon standards for labeling a risk de minimis.
Academic text (2001) -
First, ECAT recommended a de minimis rule in the administration of the anti-dumping law.
Academic text (1991) -
Agencies should particularize the idea of "significant" and "de minimis" risks through quantitative guidelines.
Academic text (2001) -
A weighted average margin of less than one-half of one percent is considered de minimis and is not subject to antidumping duty.
Academic text (1991)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Not large in size or amount
196
3.3
Very small in amount or degree
121
3.9
Not important or serious
31
5.6
Very small or unimportant and not worth worrying about
12
8.6
Very small, almost too small to measure
1
4.3
Very small and easy to miss
Antonyms
How Minor
- Formal
1
8.6
31
5.6
594
1.2
600
2.4
65
3.2
∞
2.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
de + minimis
The phrase is compositionally built from Latin elements 'de' (of/about) + 'minimis' (very small/minimal), so the sense 'about minimal matters' and therefore 'too trivial to consider' is directly derivable from the constituents. Although it is a legal Latinism that many learners may not know, a B1 learner who knows the constituent forms or common Latin/Romance roots would be able to infer the meaning, so it is transparent.
Etymology
De minimis comes from the Latin saying de minimis non curat lex, which literally means 'the law does not care about small things'. That's why de minimis is used to say something is 'too small or unimportant to be considered'.