ˈmaɪnə adj., n., & v. --adj. 1
lesser or comparatively
small in size or
importance (minor
poet; minor operation). 2 Mus. a (of a scale) having intervals of a
semitone between the second
and third,
fifth and
sixth, and
seventh and
eighth degrees. b (of an interval)
less by a semitone
than a
major interval. c (of a key) based on a minor scale, tending to
produce a
melancholy effect. 3
Brit. (in schools) indicating the younger of
two children from the
same family or the second to
enter the school (usu. put
after the name). 4
Logic a (of a term) occurring as the
subject of the
conclusion of a
categorical syllogism. b (of a premiss) containing the minor
term in a categorical syllogism. --n. 1 a
person under the
legal age limit or
majority (no
unaccompanied minors). 2 Mus. a minor key etc. 3 US a student's
subsidiary subject or
course (cf. MAJOR). 4 Logic a minor term or
premiss. --v.intr. (foll. by in) US (of a student)
undertake study in (a subject) as a subsidiary to a main subject. øin a minor key (of novels, events, people's
lives, etc.) understated,
uneventful. minor axis Geom. (of a conic) the axis
perpendicular to the major axis. minor
canon a
cleric who is
not a
member of the
chapter, who assists in
daily cathedral services. minor league US (in
baseball,
football, etc.) a league of
professional clubs
other than the major leagues. minor orders see
ORDER. minor
piece Chess a
bishop or a
knight. minor
planet an
asteroid. minor
prophet any of the prophets from Hosea to Malachi,
whose surviving writings are not
lengthy. minor
suit Bridge diamonds or clubs. [L, = smaller, less, rel. to minuere lessen]
