■ adjective
1》 having little importance, seriousness, or significance.
2》 Music (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the second and third degrees, and (usually) the fifth and sixth, and the seventh and eighth. Contrasted with major .
↘(of an interval) characteristic of a ~ scale and less by a semitone than the equivalent major interval.
↘[often postposition ] (of a key or mode) based on a ~ scale: Concerto in A ~.
3》 Brit. dated (appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the younger of two brothers: Smith ~.
4》 Logic (of a term) occurring as the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
↘(of a premise) containing the ~ term in a categorical syllogism.
■ noun
1》 a person under the age of full legal responsibility.
2》 Music a ~ key, interval, or scale.
↘ Bell-ringing a system of change-ringing using six bells.
3》 ( ~s ) N. Amer. the ~ leagues in baseball or American football.
4》 N. Amer. a student's subsidiary subject or course.
5》 Logic a ~ term or premise.
6》 a small drab moth which has purplish caterpillars that feed on grass. [Genus Oligia .]
■ verb ( ~ in ) N. Amer. study or qualify in as a subsidiary subject.
Origin
ME (orig. denoting a Franciscan friar, suggested by the Latin name Fratres Minores , 'Lesser Brethren', chosen by St Francis): from L., 'smaller, less'.