minus

mi|nus¹ [ˈmaınəs] prep

[Date: 1400-1500; : Latin; Origin: 'less', from minor 'smaller']

1.) used to show that one number or quantity is being ↑subtracted from another

≠ ↑plus

▪ 17 minus 5 is 12 (17 - 5 = 12).

▪ The payment will be refunded to you minus a small service charge.

2.) informal without something that would normally be there, or that used to be there

▪ He came back minus a couple of front teeth.

minus ²

minus² n

1.) something that is a disadvantage because it makes a situation unpleasant

= ↑drawback

≠ ↑plus

▪ There are both pluses and minuses to living in a big city.

2.) a ↑minus sign

minus ³

minus³ adj

1.) [only before noun] BrE

used to talk about a disadvantage of a thing or situation

≠ ↑plus

▪ 'Any minus points ?' 'Well, the engine is rather noisy.'

▪ On the minus side , there is no free back-up service if things go wrong.

2.) less than zero - used especially when talking about temperatures

▪ At night temperatures sometimes fall to minus 30°.

▪ a minus quantity

3.) A minus/B minus etc

a mark used in a system of judging students' work. An 'A minus' is slightly lower than a 'A', but higher than a 'B'.

≠ ↑plus