Little mother no less (7)

I believe the answer is:

minimum

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'no less' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both quantities as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'little mother' is the wordplay.
'little' becomes 'mini'.
'mother' becomes 'mum' (informal term for mother).
'mini'+'mum'='MINIMUM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for minimum that I've seen before include "Least recorded value" , "Smallest possible quantity" , "Lowest point" , "Lower limit" , "Nadir" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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