Collins English-English Dictionary

minus ['maɪnəs]

1. 1. prep reduced by the subtraction of

   four minus two (written 4 -- 2)

2. 2. adj negative having a value or designating a quantity less than zero

   a minus number

3. 3. prep [informal] deprived of; lacking

   minus the trimmings, that hat would be ordinary

4. 4. adj indicating or involving subtraction

   a minus sign

5. 5. adj on the negative part of a scale or coordinate axis

   a value of minus 40°C

6. 6. adj involving a disadvantage, harm, etc

   a minus factor

7. 7. adj [postpositive] [education] slightly below the standard of a particular grade

   he received a B minus for his essay

8. 8. adj [botany] designating the strain of a fungus that can only undergo sexual reproduction with a plus strain

9. 9. adj denoting a negative electric charge

10. 10. n short for minus sign

11. 11. n a negative quantity

12. 12. n Mathematical symbol --

13. 13. n a disadvantage, loss, or deficit

14. 14. n [informal] something detrimental or negative

15. 15. n [Etymology] C15: from Latin, neuter of minor