I come via Latin from Greek,
Step in the direction of something big, so to speak.
The scholars know me very well,
Without me, they may fail.
I provide a helping hand to all,
and found sometimes on flowers so small.
Though stepping stone, I am always a minor,
But I always make my dependent finer.
who am I?
Hint :
Everyone come across this thing in middle/high school or in college, but most of us ignores it wholeheartedly