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?
Note. I am not sure about word-play tag, but I think it should be there
Hint:
Everyone come across this thing in middle/high school or in college, but most of us ignores it wholeheartedly