The act or process of reducing something to the smallest possible amount, degree, or importance. Making something minimal or insignificant.
From Latin minimus meaning 'smallest' plus the suffix -ization indicating a process. The root 'minim-' comes from Proto-Indo-European *mei- meaning 'small.'
In mathematics, minimization problems are everywhere - from finding the shortest route between cities to training AI models by minimizing error rates. Psychologically, minimization is also a defense mechanism where people downplay the significance of negative events to protect their self-esteem.
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