1
- lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance（重要性、严重性或意义上）较小的, 次要的; 较轻微的：
she requested a number of minor alterations.
她要求作若干小的改动。
1.1
- (of a surgical operation) comparatively simple and not life-threatening（手术）相对简单的; 无生命危险的。
2
- Music (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【乐】（音阶）小调的。与MAJOR相对。
2.1
- (of an interval) characteristic of a minor scale and less by a semitone than the equivalent major interval（音程）小音阶的。比较DIMINISHED.
2.2
- usu. postpositive(of a key or mode) based on a minor scale, tending to produce a sad or pensive effect（调或调式）小调的：
Concerto in A minor.
A小调协奏曲。
3
- Brit. dated (following a surname in public schools) indicating the second or younger of two brothers or boys with the same family name〈英, 旧〉［在私立学校中置于姓后］（两兄弟或同姓男生中）年龄更小的：
Smith minor.
小史密斯。
4
- Logic (of a term) occurring as the subject of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.【逻】小（项）的。
4.1
- (of a premise) containing the minor term in a categorical syllogism小（前提）的。
1
- a person under the age of full legal responsibility未成年人。
2
- Music a minor key, interval, or scale【乐】小调; 小音程; 小音阶。
2.1
- Bell-ringing a system of change-ringing using six bells【鸣钟术】六钟（或铃）变化调。
3
minors
N. Amer. the minor leagues in a particular professional sport, especially baseball or American football〈北美〉职业运动（尤指棒球和美式橄榄球）小联合会：Salinas was one of six teams in the minors.
萨利纳斯队是小联合会六队之一。
4
- N. Amer. a student's subsidiary subject or course〈北美〉副修科目; 副修课程：
a minor in American Indian studies.
副修美国印第安人研究。
5
- Logic a minor term or premise【逻】小项; 小前提。
6
- Bridge short for MINOR SUIT.【桥牌】MINOR SUIT的简称。
7
- a small drab moth which has purplish caterpillars that feed on grass禾夜蛾。
7.1
- Genus Oligia, family Noctuidae.禾夜蛾属, 夜蛾科。
短语
in a minor key
- (especially of a literary work) understated（尤指文学作品）轻描淡写的。
词源
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.
短语动词
minor in
- N. Amer. study or qualify in as a subsidiary subject at college or university〈北美〉副修。