mini-, minor-, minut-, minu-

The deepest rivers flow with the least sound.

Another translation: "Still waters run deep."

From the greatest to the least.

One ought to fear even the tiniest of creatures.

A praetor does not occupy himself with petty matters.

Also, "Don't bother me with petty matters." A praetor [PREET uhr] in ancient Rome was a magistrate who assisted the consuls by administering justice and commanding armies.

A related expression is the legal precept: De minimis non curat lex or "The law does not concern itself with trifles" or "The law does not care for, or take notice of, very small or trifling matters"; which is used to justify refusal by a court, particularly an appellate court, to hear a suit, on the basis that a court's time must not be taken up with matters of small importance.

Provision is made under certain criminal statutes for dismissing offenses that are de minimis.

The phrase, de minimis, also explains why income tax payments that are a few dollars short of what they should be are sometimes accepted without any complaint.

The little finger, also commonly referred to as the "pinky", is usually the smallest finger of the human hand, opposite the thumb, next to the "ring finger".

It is also called the "fifth finger", or the "fourth finger" colloquially [not counting the thumb as a "finger"].

1. To make something smaller or less important, or to become smaller or less important; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; opposed to augment or increase.
2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
3. To contract a perfect or minor musical interval by one semitone.
4. To take away; to subtract; to decrease, lessen, abate, reduce, contract, curtail, impair, degrade.
5. To appear smaller, or to make something appear smaller.

Capable of being reduced in size or quantity.

1. Gradually reducing in force or loudness; antonym of crescendo.
2. In music, a gradual reduction of force or loudness; gradually decreasing in volume.
2. A diminuendo passage. Symbol: >.