minor: [13] Latin minor ‘less’ was a comparative form based on the element min- ‘small’ (source of English minute and a whole range of other ‘small’-words). The noun derived from it, minus ‘less’, was taken over by English in the 15th century. => minute
minor (n.)
early 14c., "a Franciscan," from Latin Fratres Minores "lesser brethren," name chosen by St. Francis, who founded the order, for the sake of humility; see minor (adj.). From c. 1400 as "minor premise of a syllogism." From 1610s as "person under legal age" (Latin used minores (plural) for "the young"). Musical sense is from 1797. Meaning "secondary subject of study, subject of study with fewer credits than a major" is from 1890; as a verb in this sense from 1934.
minor (adj.)
early 13c., menour "Franciscan" (see minor (n.)), from Latin minor "less, lesser, smaller, junior," figuratively "inferior, less important," formed as a masculine/feminine form of minus on the mistaken assumption that minus was a neuter comparative, from PIE root *mei- (2) "small" (see minus).
Some English usages are via Old French menor "less, smaller, lower; underage, younger," from Latin minor. Meaning "underage" is from 1570s. Meaning "lesser" in English is from early 15c.; that of "less important" is from 1620s. The musical sense is from 1690s. In the baseball sense, minor league is from 1884; the figurative extension is first recorded 1926.
实用例句
1. He had a minor stroke in 1987, which left him partly paralysed.
他1987年曾患轻度中风，之后就半身不遂了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He had a minor operation to remove a cyst.
他做了个切除囊肿的小手术。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Aloe may have an analgesic effect on inflammation and minor skin irritations.
芦荟可能对发炎以及轻微的皮肤炎症具有镇痛作用。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Hers was a minor part, but she played it with gusto.
她演的是个小角色，但是演得很投入。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Even minor head injuries can cause long-lasting psychological effects.
