mi|nus

mi|nus «MY nuhs», preposition, adjective, noun.

–prep.

1. less; decreased by: »

gross earnings minus costs. 5 minus 2 leaves 3.

2. without; lacking: »

a book minus its cover.

–adj.

1. less than: »

A mark of B minus is not so high as B.

2. showing subtraction: »

a minus sign.

3. a) less than zero: »

If you have no money, and owe someone 10¢, you have minus 10¢.

b) negative in quantity.

4. Botany. of or having to do with the strain of heterothallic fungi which acts as the female in reproduction.

–n.

1. the sign (―) meaning that the quantity following it is to be subtracted: »

There is a minus before the number to be subtracted.

2. a negative quantity.

3. any deficiency or shortcoming; lack.

╂[< Latin minus less, neuter of minor, comparative of parvus small]