minus

preposition

/ˈmaɪnəs/

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used when you subtract (= take away) one number or thing from another one减；减去
- Seven minus three is four (7 − 3 = 4).七减去三等于四。
- the former Soviet Union, minus the Baltic republics and Georgia前苏联，不包括波罗的海诸共和国及格鲁吉亚
Topics Maths and measurementb1
used to express temperature below zero degrees零下
- It was minus ten.气温为零下十度。
- The temperature dropped to minus 28 degrees centigrade (−28°C).气温降到零下 28 摄氏度。
(informal) without something that was there before无，欠缺（曾经有过的东西）
- We're going to be minus a car for a while.我们要过一段没有车的日子。
- The group found itself minus a bass player.这个团体发现自己少了一个贝司手。

opposite plus1

Word Originlate 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.

Idioms

plus or minus

used when the number mentioned may actually be more or less by a particular amount或多或少；左右；大约
- The margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points.误差幅度在三个百分点左右。
compare give or take

noun

/ˈmaɪnəs/

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(also minus sign)
The symbol (−), used in mathematics减号；负号Topics Maths and measurementb1
(informal) a negative quality; a disadvantage负值；缺点
- Let's consider the pluses and minuses of changing the system.我们来考虑一下改变系统的利弊吧。

opposite plus1

Word Originlate 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.

adjective

/ˈmaɪnəs/

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[only before noun] (mathematics数学) lower than zero小于零的；负的
- a minus figure/number负数
[only before noun] making something seem negative and less attractive or good负面的；使显得有欠缺的
- What are the car's minus points (= the disadvantages)?这车的缺点是什么？
- On the minus side, rented property is expensive and difficult to find.不利因素是租房又贵又不好找。
[after noun] (used in a system of grades) slightly lower than the grade A, B, etc.略低于（A、B 等）
- I got (a) B minus (B−) in the test.我考试得了个 B−。
Topics Educationc2

opposite plus1

Word Originlate 15th cent.: from Latin, neuter of minor ‘less’.