Etymology

minus

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Today it means: Made less or reduced by (followed by an expression of number or quantity). Full definition →

First used 15th c.Middle English mynus ← Latin minus
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minus · preposition, noun, adjective, verb1

  1. Latin · derived fromminus
  2. Middle English · inherited frommynus
  3. English todayminus

From Middle English mynus, from Latin minus, neuter form of minor, comparative form of parvus (“small, little”), from the Proto-Indo-European root *mey- (“few, small”).

Minus · proper noun2

Unexplained.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 15th c. Made less or reduced by (followed by an expression of number or quantity).
  • from 19th c. Without; deprived of.
  • from 16th c. The minus sign (−).
  • from 18th c. A negative quantity.
  • from 20th c. A downside or disadvantage.
  • from 18th c. Being a negative quantity; pertaining to a deficit or reduction.
  • from 19th c. That is below zero by (a specified amount) on a scale.
  • 19th c. Worse off than before; out of pocket.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.