minor

minor
adj., n., & v.
—adj.
1 lesser or comparatively small in size or importance (minor poet; minor operation).
2 Mus. a (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the second and third, fifth and sixth, and seventh and eighth degrees. b (of an interval) less by a semitone than a major interval. c (of a key) based on a minor scale, tending to produce a melancholy effect.
3 Brit. (in schools) indicating the younger of two children from the same family or the second to enter the school (usu. put after the name).
4 Logic a (of a term) occurring as the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. b (of a premiss) containing the minor term in a categorical syllogism.
—n.
1 a person under the legal age limit or majority (no unaccompanied minors).
2 Mus. a minor key etc.
3 US a student's subsidiary subject or course (cf. MAJOR).
4 Logic a minor term or premiss.
—v.intr. (foll. by in) US (of a student) undertake study in (a subject) as a subsidiary to a main subject.
Phrases and idioms:
in a minor key (of novels, events, people's lives, etc.) understated, uneventful. minor axis Geom. (of a conic) the axis perpendicular to the major axis. minor canon a cleric who is not a member of the chapter, who assists in daily cathedral services. minor league US (in baseball, football, etc.) a league of professional clubs other than the major leagues. minor orders see ORDER. minor piece Chess a bishop or a knight. minor planet an asteroid. minor prophet any of the prophets from Hosea to Malachi, whose surviving writings are not lengthy. minor suit Bridge diamonds or clubs.
Etymology: L, = smaller, less, rel. to minuere lessen

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • minor — mi·nor 1 n: a person who has not yet reached the age of majority compare adult, juvenile, major minor 2 adj 1 a: being less important or serious …   Law dictionary

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  • Minor — • That which is less, or inferior in comparison with another, the term being employed as well of things as of persons Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Minor     Minor      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • minor — [mī′nər] adj. [ME menour < L minor < IE * minu , small < base * mei , to lessen > Gr meiōn, less, ON minni, smaller] 1. a) lesser in size, amount, number, or extent b) lesser in importance or rank 2. under full legal age (usually… …   English World dictionary

  • minor — mi nor (m[imac] n[ e]r), a. [L., a comparative with no positive; akin to AS. min small, G. minder less, OHG. minniro, a., min, adv., Icel. minni, a., minnr, adv., Goth. minniza, a., mins, adv., Ir. & Gael. min small, tender, L. minuere to lessen …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • minor in — ˈminor in [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they minor in he/she/it minors in present participle minoring in past tense minored in past p …   Useful english dictionary

  • Minor — Mi nor, n. 1. A person of either sex who has not attained the age at which full civil rights are accorded; an infant; in England and the United States, one under twenty one years of age. [1913 Webster] Note: In hereditary monarchies, the minority …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Minor — Nom porté en Bretagne (22, 29), également écrit Le Minor, Le Mineur (22). Il correspond au breton minor , équivalent du français mineur (d âge), qui a souvent désigné un pupille, l orphelin d un seul parent et, localement, un héritier unique ou… …   Noms de famille

  • Minor — Minor, AL U.S. Census Designated Place in Alabama Population (2000): 1116 Housing Units (2000): 471 Land area (2000): 0.694337 sq. miles (1.798324 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.694337 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Minor, AL — U.S. Census Designated Place in Alabama Population (2000): 1116 Housing Units (2000): 471 Land area (2000): 0.694337 sq. miles (1.798324 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.694337 sq. miles… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

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