Crossword Genius

Smallest musical note presented with hesitation (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

minimum

'smallest' is the definition.
('minimum' can be similar in meaning to 'smallest')

'musical note presented with hesitation' is the wordplay.
'musical note' becomes 'minim' (minim is a kind of musical note).
'presented with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'hesitation' becomes 'um'.
'minim'+'um'='MINIMUM'

(Other definitions for minimum that I've seen before include "Least recorded value" , "The least of smallest amount possible" , "Nadir" , "Lower limit" , "Bottom" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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