Minimalise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cut something down to the least possible extent or quantity ; to play down the importance or value of something or someone
2. To lessen a thing as far as it can go, shrinking its size or effect ; to disparage or present something as trivial and unimportant
3. Reducing an effect, risk or amount to the smallest feasible level ; deliberately making a person or matter appear less significant than it is

Etymology: "Minimalise" is the British spelling of "minimalize," and it is formed from "minimal" plus the suffix "-ize" (spelled "-ise" in British English). "Minimal" comes from Latin "minimus," meaning "smallest," the superlative of "parvus," "small." The Latin root reached English through French and Late Latin, so the adjective has a long pedigree, but the verb is the product of later English word-building. The suffix "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein," used to form verbs meaning to make or to treat in a certain way. English has used it for centuries, so "minimalise" follows a familiar pattern: "minimal" becomes a verb meaning to reduce something to the smallest possible degree, or to play down its importance. The same suffix turns "modern" into "modernize" and "legal" into "legalize."

Synonyms: minimize, reduce, lessen, diminish, downplay

Antonyms: maximise, magnify, increase, enlarge, amplify