What is minus? How to use in English

The word "minus" has its roots in the Latin word "minus," which means "less" or "smaller." In the 15th century, the term was borrowed into Middle English from Old French "emminus," which was derived from Latin "minus." The meaning of the word gradually shifted to refer specifically to the act of subtracting or taking away. In the 16th century, the symbol "-" was introduced as a shorthand for the word "minus," and this symbol has remained a standard notation for subtraction in mathematics. Today, the word "minus" is used in a variety of contexts, including mathematics, measurement, and everyday language, to indicate a decrease or reduction. Despite its widespread use, the word's origins remain rooted in the Latin concept of "less" or "smaller."