Minuskel

Those Minuskeln or Common one are smallletter. They fit into a four-line pattern. In this the minuskeln know also an ascender (z.B. b, D, f, h, k, l) or have a short length (z.B. g, j, p, q, y).

The designation Minuskel word is from latin minusculus derived, which means so much how rather small. It originates probably approximately from the year 1.000 n. Chr.

The opposite from minuskel is and/or. Versalie.

One differentiates:

• Greek minuskel in contrast to the Greek majuskel and Unziale
• Roman minuskel in contrast to the Roman majuskel, Unziale, Halbunziale
• karolingische minuskel (around 780-12. Jh.) in contrast to the karolingischen majuskel
• earlygothical (starting from end of 11. Jh. to 13. Jh.), gothical (14. Jh.) and lategothical minuskel (16. Jh.) in contrast to the gothical majuskel

See also:

• Karolingi minuskel.