mi·nus 
(mīnəs)
(mīnəs)prep.
1. Mathematics Reduced by the subtraction of; less: Ten minus four is six.
2. Informal Without: I went to work minus my ID.
adj.
1. Mathematics Negative or on the negative part of a scale: a minus value; minus five degrees.
2. Ranking on the lower end of a designated scale: a grade of A minus.
n.
1. Mathematics
a. The minus sign (-).
b. A negative quantity.
2. A deficiency or defect.
[Middle English, from Latin minus, neuter of minor, less; see mei-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]