minus

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

minus [minus minuses] preposition, noun, adjective BrE [ˈmaɪnəs] NAmE [ˈmaɪnəs]
preposition
1. used when you ↑subtract (= take away) one number or thing from another one
•Seven minus three is four (7 − 3 = 4).
•the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic republics and Georgia
2. used to express temperature below zero degrees
• It was minus ten.
•The temperature dropped to minus 28 degrees centigrade (−28°C).
3. (informal)without sth that was there before
• We're going to be minus a car for a while.
•The group found itself minus a bass player.
Opp: ↑plus, see plus or minus at ↑plus _prep.

Word Origin:
late 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.
 
noun
1. (also ˈminus sign)The symbol (−), used in mathematics
2. (informal)a negative quality; a disadvantage
• Let's consider the pluses and minuses of changing the system.
Opp: ↑plus

Word Origin:
late 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.
 
adjective
1. (mathematics)lower than zero
•a minus figure/number
2. making sth seem negative and less attractive or good
• What are the car's minus points (= the disadvantages)?
•On the minus side, rented property is expensive and difficult to find.
3. not before noun (used in a system of marks/grades)slightly lower than the mark/grade A, B, etc
•I got (a) B minus (B−) in the test.
Opp: ↑plus

Word Origin:
late 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.
 

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  negative, subtraction