minus

Universal Words preposition, noun, adjective preposition 1 used when you SUBTRACT one number or thing from another one: Seven minus three is four (7 - 3 = 4). * the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic republics and Georgia 2 used to express temperature below zero degrees: It was minus ten. * The temperature dropped to minus 28 degrees centigrade (-28ｰC). 3 (informal) without sth that was there before: We're going to be minus a car for a while. * The group found itself minus a bass player. OPPPLUS IDIOMS see PLUSprep. noun 1 (also minus sign) The symbol (-), used in mathematics 2 (informal) a negative quality; a disadvantage: Let's consider the pluses and minuses of changing the system. OPPPLUS adjective 1 (mathematics) lower than zero: a minus figure / number 2 making sth seem negative and less attractive or good: What are the car's minus points (= the disadvantages)? * On the minus side rented property is expensive and difficult to find. 3 [notbeforenoun] (used in a system of marks / grades) slightly lower than the mark/grade A, B, etc: I got (a) B minus (B-) in the test. OPPPLUS