word-forming element meaning "miniature, minor," abstracted from miniature, with sense perhaps influenced by minimum. The vogue for mini- as a prefix in English word coinage dates from c. 1960; minicam for "miniature camera" (1937) is an early use.
mine-sweeper
Ming
minge
mingle
mini
mini-
miniature
miniaturist
miniaturization
miniaturize
Minie ball