minus

Meanings

• Symbol

  The symbol used to represent subtraction in mathematics.

• Noun, Adjective

  A term used to indicate the absence or lack of something.

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈmaɪnəs/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1780221"

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Antonyms

advantage , bonus , boon , gain , plus , plus , plus sign , positive , plus

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Synonyms

defect , deficiency , drawback , flaw , shortcoming , negative , below , zero , lacking , without

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Variants

List of all variants of minus that leads to same result
minus , minuses , minus sign , minus signs , plus or minus , on the minus side , omega , omega meson , omega minus , omegas

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

The symbol '−' (known as the minus sign) originated in Europe during the late Middle Ages, possibly inspired by the Latin word 'minuere' meaning 'to lessen' or 'decrease'. The minus sign was used to represent a negative number or a debt.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The minus sign is also called the 'subtraction sign' or the 'minus symbol'.

2. The ancient Greeks represented subtraction using a large S or an X.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Subtraction: The mathematical operation of finding the difference between two numbers.

2. Negative numbers: Numbers less than zero.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, the term 'minus' has been used figuratively to represent absence or lack. For instance, in Shakespeare's 'Othello', Iago says, 'I have heard that guilty creatures sitting at a play have by the very cunning of the scene been struck so to the soul that presently, their weak hands, unable to resist tempers, have plucked the daggers from their sheaths and done the deed.', implying that the play (minus) the murder scene, could incite people to commit actual violence. In mathematics, the minus sign has been a crucial symbol in the development of algebra and calculus.

How to Memorize "minus"

1. visualize
   

   - To visualize the minus sign, imagine a horizontal line with a small circle or a hook below it. This symbol represents the absence or subtraction of a quantity.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the minus sign with the word 'subtract' or 'less'. For example, when you see the minus sign, think 'take away' or 'subtract'.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Every Good Boy Does Fine' to remember the order of the mathematical operations: Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right).

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