minus \mi"nus\ (m[imac]"n[u^]s), n.; pl. {minuses}
(m[imac]"n[u^]s*[-e]z).
A factor counted as a disadvantage; a loss or potential loss
in a situation or plan; as, he added up all the pluses and
minuses and decided not to do it; as, the lack of money is a
big minus in an election campaign.
[PJC]