| minuscule |
| Definition: A lower-case letter. |
| Example: This a is a minuscule and this A is a majuscule. |
| Etymology: The word derives from the Latin minuscula littera, slightly smaller letter (from minusculus, the diminutive of minus, less). |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1727–41: "Printers distinguish their letters into capital, majuscule, initial or upper-case letters … and minuscule, small, or under-case letters." (Chambers Cycl. s.v. Letter) |