A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Minim
MINIM (Lat. and Ital. Minima; Fr. Blanche; Germ. Halbe Note). A note, equal in duration to the half of a Semibreve; and divisible into two Crotchets (Semiminimæ majores), or four Quavers (Semiminimæ minores).
The Minim derives its name from the fact, that, until the invention of the Crotchet, it was the shortest note in use. We first find it mentioned, early in the 14th century, by Joannes de Muris; though Morley says it was employed by Philippus de Vitriaco, who flourished during the latter half of the 13th. Its form has undergone but little change, in modern times. It was always an open note, with a tail. Formerly its head was lozenge-shaped, and its tail turned always upwards: now, the head is round, inclining to oval, and the tail may turn either upwards, or downwards.
In antient music, the Minim was always imperfect: that is to say, it was divisible into two Crotchets only, and not into three. As time progressed, a quasi-exception to this rule was afforded by the Hemiolia minor: but it was never used in ligature. [See Hemiolia; Ligature.]
The Minim Rest resembles that of the Semibreve, except that it is placed above the line, instead of below it—a peculiarity which is observed in the oldest MSS. in which Minims occur.