/ ˈmaɪnə(r); NAmE / adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective
1.
[ usually before noun ] not very large, important or serious :
a minor road
minor injuries
to undergo minor surgery
youths imprisoned for minor offences
There may be some minor changes to the schedule.
Women played a relatively minor role in the organization.
OPP major
2.
( music ) based on a scale in which the third note is a semitone / half tone higher than the second note :
the key of C minor
—compare major
■ noun
1.
( law ) a person who is under the age at which you legally become an adult and are responsible for your actions :
It is an offence to serve alcohol to minors.
2.
( especially NAmE ) a subject that you study at university in addition to your major
■ verb
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- minor in sth
—compare major
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Latin , smaller, less ; related to minuere lessen. The term originally denoted a Franciscan friar, suggested by the Latin name Fratres Minores (Lesser Brethren), chosen by St Francis for the order.