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Minimum vs Sparse - What's the difference?

minimum | sparse |

As a noun minimum

is minimum.

As an adjective sparse is

having widely spaced intervals.

As a verb sparse is

(obsolete) to scatter; to disperse.

minimum

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The lowest limit.
    • We prefer candidates with a minimum of 4 years experience in the field.
    We need a minimum of 3 fully-qualified staff members on duty at all time.
  • The smallest amount.
    • He always tries to get away with doing the minimum .
    Please keep noise to a minimum after 11 o'clock
  • (astronomy) A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).
  • (analysis) A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.
  • (statistics) The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.

    • Usage notes

    * (term) is more common plural for the technical senses.

    Antonyms

    * maximum

    Hypernyms

    * (statistics) measure of location

    Derived terms

    (terms derived from minimum) * bare minimum * global minimum * local minimum * Maunder minimum * minimum wage * moral minimum

    Related terms

    * minimal * minimize, minimise

    Adjective

    (-)
  • To the lowest degree.

    • sparse

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Having widely spaced intervals.
  • Not dense; meager.

    • Related terms

    * thin out

    Derived terms

    * sparse array * sparse index * sparse matrix

    Verb

    (spars)
  • (obsolete) To scatter; to disperse.
    • (Spenser)

    Anagrams

    * * * * * * * ----