Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

minimize

 verb
     
Related topics: Computers
min‧i‧mize also minimise British English [transitive]
1 to reduce something that is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant to the smallest possible amount or degree [≠ maximize]:
Every effort is being made to minimize civilian casualties.
The rail company is bringing in more trains in an effort to minimize disruption to travellers.
2 to make something seem less serious or important than it really is [= play down]:
We must not minimize the problem of racial discrimination.
3TD to make a document or program on your computer very small when you are not using it but still want to keep it open [≠ maximize]:
Click on the top of the window to minimize it.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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