infime

tiny, infinitesimal

adjective an-FEEM Rare

Origin: From Latin 'infimus' (lowest, smallest).

Usage Note

Infime is invariable for gender (same form for masculine and feminine: un détail infime, une partie infime). It stresses that something is not merely small but negligibly, vanishingly small — closer to English 'infinitesimal' than simply 'small'. It should not be confused with infâme ('infamous') which sounds similar.

Examples

"Une infime partie de la population est concernée."

Natural Translation

An infinitesimal portion of the population is affected.

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