minibar
Meaning
A small refrigerator in a hotel room containing drinks and snacks for guests to buy.
A small bar, especially one in a home or a private area of a larger establishment.
Structure
Usage
The minibar in the suite was stocked with premium spirits and local craft beers.
We installed a minibar in the basement for entertaining guests.
Please note that all items taken from the minibar will be charged to your room account.
Etymology
The word 'minibar' is a modern compound formed in the mid-20th century, directly combining two English morphemes. The first element, 'mini', entered English via the Latin 'minimus', capturing the concept of reduced size. The second element, 'bar', has a long history in English, originally denoting a physical barrier or rod, which evolved to mean the counter over which drinks were served. The compound's logic is transparently literal: a "small bar," specifically engineered as a compact, in-room refreshment unit, reflecting the trend of miniaturization and convenience in hospitality.
Analysis
- mini: From Latin 'minimus' (smallest, very small). In English, a combining form meaning "smaller or shorter than the standard". - bar: From Old French 'barre' (beam, barrier, counter), ultimately of uncertain, possibly Celtic, origin. In English, it refers to a counter where alcoholic drinks are served.