Minus and minimē are the comparative adverbs meaning less so and least of all. However, in colloquial Latin they typically fill the role of ‘not’ and ‘no.’
- Sī minus possunt, exeāmus. If they are unable, let us head out.
- Audācissimus ego tand’ ex omnibus?—minimē. Am I therefore the most outrageous of men? Certainly not.
This effect is also present in in phrases with the subjunctive and quōminus (= ut eō minus).
- Nōn aetās impedit quōminus agrī colendī studia teneāmus. Age does not prevent us from retaining an interest in tilling the soil.
- Nihil impedit quōminus id facere possīmus. Nothing prevents us from doing that.
The Essential AG: 558b
Latin for Addicts 