[mi.nus] prep [ME, fr. L minus, adv., less, fr. neut. of minor smaller--more at minor] (15c) 1: diminished by: less "seven ~ four is three"
2: deprived of: without "~ his hat"
[2]minus n (1654) 1: a negative quantity
2: deficiency, defect [3]minus adj (1800) 1: algebraically negative "a ~ quantity"
2: having negative qualities
3: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required for successful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus)
4: falling low in a specified range "B ~"