minor
1mi·nor
adjective \ˈmī-nər\Definition of MINOR
1
: inferior in importance, size, or degree : comparatively unimportant
2
: not having reached majority
3
a : having half steps between the second and third, the fifth and sixth, and sometimes the seventh and eighth degrees <minor scale> b : based on a minor scale <minor key> c : less by a semitone than the corresponding major interval <minor third> d : having a minor third above the root <minor triad>
4
: not serious or involving risk to life <minor illness>
5
: of or relating to an academic subject requiring fewer courses than a major
Examples of MINOR
- Her role in the project was minor.
- I'm not worried about minor details.
- The grant covered only a minor part of the cost.
- The delay will be minor.
- He suffered a minor heart attack.
Origin of MINOR
Latin, smaller, inferior; akin to Old High German minniro smaller, Latin minuere to lessen
First Known Use: 1526
Related to MINOR
2minor
nounDefinition of MINOR
1
: a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adult
2
: a minor musical interval, scale, key, or mode
3
a : a minor academic subject b : a student taking a specified minor
4
: a determinant or matrix obtained from a given determinant or matrix by eliminating the row and column in which a given element lies
5
plural : minor league baseball —used with the
Examples of MINOR
- families with children who are still minors
- The nightclub was shut down for selling alcohol to a minor.
- She majored in chemistry with a minor in biology.
First Known Use of MINOR
1612
Other Education Terms
3minor
intransitive verbDefinition of MINOR
: to take courses in a minor subject
First Known Use of MINOR
1926
Other Education Terms
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Previous Word in the Dictionary: Minoan (noun)
All Words Near: minor
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