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   minor

   /ˈmʌɪnə/

   adjective

   • 1. lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance: "she requested a number of minor alterations" Similar slightsmallunimportantinsignificantinconsequentialinconsiderableof little accountperipheralsubsidiarynegligibletrivialtriflingpaltrypettyfootlingnickel-and-dimeinformal:pifflingpiddlinglittle knownunknownlesserunimportantinsignificantobscurelightweightsubordinateminor-leagueinformal:small-timepenny-antetwo-bitpicayunebush-leagueOpposite majorimportantconsiderable
   • 2. (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.
   • ▪ (of an interval) characteristic of a minor scale and less by a semitone than the equivalent major interval: "the E flat clarinet sounds a minor third higher than the written notes"
   • ▪ (of a key or mode) based on a minor scale and tending to produce a sad or pensive effect: "Concerto in A minor"
   • 3. (following a surname in public schools) indicating the younger of two brothers: dated British "Smith minor" Similar junioryounger
   • 4. (of a term) occurring as the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
   • ▪ (of a premise) containing the minor term in a categorical syllogism.

   noun

   • 1. a person under the age of full legal responsibility: "the court would take account of the minor's wishes"
   • 2. a minor key, interval, or scale.
   • ▪ a system of change-ringing using six bells.
   • 3. the minor leagues in baseball or American football: North American "Salinas was one of six teams in the minors"
   • 4. a student's subsidiary subject or course: North American "a minor in American Indian studies"
   • 5. a minor term or premise.
   • 6. short for minor suit
   • 7. a small drab moth which has purplish caterpillars that feed on grass.

   verb

   • 1. study as or qualify in a subsidiary subject at college or university: North American "Clark had minored in Animal Science"

   Word 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.

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • M

     3

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • O

     1

   • R

     1

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