Comminute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Comminuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Comminuting.] — Webster enters it under “comminute”
Etymology: [L. comminutus, p. p. of comminuere to comminute; com- + minuere to lessen. See Minute.]
To reduce to minute particles, or to a fine powder; to pulverize; to triturate; to grind; as, to comminute chalk or bones; to comminute food with the teeth. Pennant. Comminuted fracture. See under Fracture.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for comminuted; he lists it under fine, minute.
Where he writes about it:
As that which is delicate is apt to be small, by an easy extension of meaning fine becomes a synonym for slender, slight, minute, comminuted; as, a fine thread, fine sand; or for filmy, tenuous, thin; as, a fine lace, fine wire; and as a thin edge is keen, sharp, fine becomes also a synonym for these words; as, a fine point, a fine edge. — from fine
That which is broken up into minute particles is said to be comminuted; things may be termed fine which would not be termed comminuted; as, fine sand; fine gravel; but, in using the adverb, we say a substance is finely comminuted, comminuted referring more to the process, fine to the result. — from minute