TechnologyJune 16, 2026

minutia

/mɪˈnjuːʃə/

Definition

A small, precise, or trivial detail that is often considered insignificant or part of daily routine.

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'minutiae,' meaning 'small or trifling things,' derived from the adjective 'minutus,' which means 'small' or 'diminished.' It entered English in the 17th century to describe minor details.

In the news

In the article, the term refers to the mundane, everyday choices—like what to wear or eat—that students are increasingly outsourcing to AI, leading to concerns about the loss of personal agency.

AI crashed a Paris wine tasting and that was the point

Read the full article ↗

Rice University

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