1620s, from Latin comminutus, past participle of comminuere "to lessen, break into smaller parts," from com- "together" (see com-) + minuere "to make smaller" (see minus). Related: Comminuted; comminuting.
comminuted adj. Broken into fragments. Used of a fractured bone.
comminute com·mi·nute (kŏm'ə-nōōt', -nyōōt')v. com·mi·nut·ed, com·mi·nut·ing, com·mi·nutes To reduce to powder; to pulverize.