vähimmäis

Vähimmäis is a Finnish noun that historically denoted the smallest amount or the lowest required level in various contexts. In modern Finnish, the term is uncommon and is generally regarded as archaic or dialectal. The standard terms for the same idea are minimi and, in many technical or formal contexts, vähimmäisarvo.

The exact etymology of vähimmäis is not widely documented in contemporary dictionaries. It appears to be formed from the stem related to vähä- meaning “small” or “few” with a suffix that creates an abstract noun, a pattern common in older Finnish word formation. Because of its limited attestation, the word is typically encountered in historical texts or discussions of language change rather than in current usage.

Usage and status: Vähimmäis is mostly found in older legal, administrative, or mathematical sources. In present-day Finnish, the concept is normally expressed with minimi or vähimmäisarvo, and native speakers would rarely, if ever, use vähimmäis in everyday language. When appearing in linguistic or philological work, it is usually cited as an obsolete or dialectal form illustrating historical vocabulary.

See also: minimi, vähimmäisarvo, Finnish language history.

References: Finnish dictionaries and grammars that document historical or regional language forms; studies on Finnish noun formation and archaic vocabulary.