I. mi ‧ nor 1 S2 W2 AC /ˈmaɪnə $ -ər/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: 'smaller' ]
1 . small and not very important or serious, especially when compared with other things OPP major :
We have made some minor changes to the program.
a relatively minor error
a minor road
They played only a minor role in local government.
minor injury/illness/operation etc (=one that is not very serious or dangerous)
He escaped with only minor injuries.
2 . based on a particular type of musical ↑ scale :
Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 in D minor
a minor key
II. minor 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . law someone who is below the age at which they become legally responsible for their actions:
This film contains material unsuitable for minors.
2 . American English the second main subject that you study at university for your degree OPP major :
I’m taking history as my minor.
3 . the minors the ↑ Minor Leagues
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THESAURUS
▪ child someone who is not yet an adult. You don’t usually use child to talk about babies or teenagers:
Many children are scared of the dark.
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He’s just a child.
▪ kid informal a child. Kid is the usual word to use in everyday spoken English:
We left the kids in the car.
▪ little boy/little girl a young male or female child:
I lived there when I was a little girl.
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Little boys love dinosaurs.
▪ teenager someone between the ages of 13 and 19:
There’s not much for teenagers to do around here.
▪ adolescent a young person who is developing into an adult – used especially when talking about the problems these people have:
He changed from a cheerful child to a confused adolescent.
▪ youth especially disapproving a teenage boy – especially one who is violent and commits crimes:
He was attacked by a gang of youths.
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a youth court
▪ youngster a child or young person – used especially by old people:
You youngsters have got your whole life ahead of you.
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He’s a bright youngster with a good sense of humour.
▪ minor law someone who is not yet legally an adult:
It is illegal to sell alcohol to a minor.
III. minor 3 BrE AmE verb
minor in something phrasal verb
American English to study a second main subject as part of your university degree OPP major :
Sid majored in sociology and minored in political science.