Crossword Genius

Almost the smallest measure used for physics? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

minim

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'measure used for physics?' is the definition.
'minim' can be an answer for 'measure' (thesaurus). I am not sure about the 'used for physics?' bit.

'almost the smallest' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'smallest' could be 'min' (abbreviation for minimum) and 'min' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'im' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for minim that I've seen before include "Short note" , "Feature of a score" , "Half-note" , "Palindromic note" , "Quarter of a breve" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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