[ˈmʌɪnə], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance
(e.g: she requested a number of minor alterations)

- (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the second and third degrees, and (usually) the fifth and sixth, and the seventh and eighth

- (following a surname in public schools) indicating the younger of two brothers
(e.g: Smith minor)

- (of a term) occurring as the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism


Phrases:
- in a minor key

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, ‘smaller, less’; related to minuere ‘lessen’. The term originally denoted a Franciscan friar, suggested by the Latin name Fratres Minores (‘Lesser Brethren’), chosen by St Francis for the order

[ˈmʌɪnə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a person under the age of full legal responsibility
(e.g: the court would take account of the minor's wishes)

- a minor key, interval, or scale

- the minor leagues in baseball or American football
(e.g: Salinas was one of six teams in the minors)

- a student's subsidiary subject or course
(e.g: a minor in philosophy)

- a minor term or premise


- a small drab moth which has purplish caterpillars that feed on grass


Phrases:
- in a minor key

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, ‘smaller, less’; related to minuere ‘lessen’. The term originally denoted a Franciscan friar, suggested by the Latin name Fratres Minores (‘Lesser Brethren’), chosen by St Francis for the order

[ˈmʌɪnə], (Verb)

Definitions:
- study as or qualify in a subsidiary subject at college or university
(e.g: Clark had minored in Animal Science)


Phrases:
- in a minor key

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, ‘smaller, less’; related to minuere ‘lessen’. The term originally denoted a Franciscan friar, suggested by the Latin name Fratres Minores (‘Lesser Brethren’), chosen by St Francis for the order