מיעוט

מִיעוּט, מִעוּטm. (מָעַט) 1) reduction of size, the space reduced. Erub.77a אם יש במִיעוּטוֹוכ׳ if the reduction of the height (by lowering the wall or raising the embankment) extends over four handbreadths; כנגד המ׳ only as far as the reduction extends. 2) minority. Y.Pes.VII, 34c bot. כרוב או כמ׳ (not כרוב׳ במ׳) do we treat the case as if it were a majority (of unclean persons), or as if it were a minority? Ib. אין תימר כמ׳ (not במ׳) if you will consider it a minority. Y.Kidd.I, 59b top. Yeb.119a מ׳ מפילות a minority of women miscarry; a. e. 3) the least of. R. Hash. 11a; Yeb.42a; Nidd.38b (ref. to 1 Sam. 1:20) מ׳ תקופותוכ׳ the least of tkufoth (plural number) is two (seasons, of three months each), the least of yamin is two days; a. e. 4) narrowing qualification, limitation. Yoma 43a; B. Kam.86b, a. fr. הוי מ׳ אחר מ׳ ואין מ׳ אחר מ׳ אלאוכ׳ this is a limitation following a limitation, and a double limitation serves to widen the scope (because the repetition indicates that no limitation is meant, but only an exemplification); Y.Peah V, end, 19d (corr. acc.). Y.Hor.I, beg.45c מ׳ אחר מ׳ אחר מ׳ three successive limitations. Lev. R. s. 24, end ת״ל רק לשון מ׳ it says ‘only (Deut. 28:13) which intimates a limitation; a. fr.Pl. מִיעוּטִים, מִיעוּטִין, מִע׳. Tosef.Shebu.I, 7 הוה דורש ריבויין ומ׳ interpreted the Bible texts with a view to widening and narrowing the limits of the respective laws. Y.Sabb.VIII, 10b אך הוא הרי אלו מ׳וכ׳ akh and hu (Ex. 12:16, are limiting qualifications intimating that you must not cut, grind (on the Holy Day). Y.Ber.IX, 14b bot., v. אַךְ I; a. fr.