I. ˈmī-nəs preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin minus, adverb, less, from neuter of minor smaller — more at minor
Date: 15th century
1. : diminished by : less
seven minus four is three
2. : deprived of : without
minus his hat
II. noun
Date: 1708
1. : a negative quantity
2. : a negative quality ; especially : drawback
III. adjective
Date: 1776
1. : algebraically negative
a minus quantity
minus ten degrees
2. : having a negative quality
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 minus