"a gleam," 1826 (with a possible isolated use from 1540s in OED), from glint (v.).

"of the smallest possible amount or degree, that is the lowest obtainable," 1810, from minimum (n.).

"knowledge of character and possible future based on the lines and marks of the hand," 1885, from chiro- "the hand" + -sophy "knowledge."

"cultivation of a single crop when others are possible," 1915, from French (c. 1900); see  mono- "single" + culture (n.).

in reference to special court proceedings, late 13c., from Anglo-French lete, Anglo-Latin leta, of unknown origin; OED suggests possible connection to let (v.).

"hatred or dislike of mankind, the habit of taking the worst possible view of human character and motives," 1650s, from Greek misanthrōpia "hatred of mankind," from misanthrōpos "hating mankind" (see misanthrope).

by 1965, alternative spelling of lead (n.2) in the newspaper journalism sense, to distinguish this specialized sense from other possible meanings of the written word, perhaps especially the molten lead (n.1) used in 20c. typesetting machines.

"reduce to a minimum, make as little or slight as possible," 1802, first recorded in Bentham; see minimum + -ize. As "to depreciate, treat slightingly," by 1875. Related: Minimized; minimizing.

surname (and later male given name), attested by c. 1200, from the common pronunciation of Michael and from Middle English michel "big" (see mickle). In the earliest records it is not always possible to tell which.

"to make as great as possible, raise or increase to the highest degree," 1802, formed in English from maximum + -ize; first attested in Bentham, who used it often. Related: Maximized; maximizing.