minus

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an arithmetic operation in which the difference between two numbers is calculated
  2. adjective on the negative side or lower end of a scale
  3. adjective involving disadvantage or harm

Etymology

From Middle English mynus, from Latin minus, neuter form of minor, comparative form of parvus (“small, little”), from the Proto-Indo-European root *mey- (“few, small”).

In classic literature

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subtraction

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