−

Glyph origin
There are many theories regarding the origin of the minus sign. According to one theory, it originates from a handwriting form of the letter m (for ) that came to resemble a horizontal bar, Another theory traces it back to a hieratic sign.

Symbol

 * 1)  subtraction
 * 8 − 3 = 5
 * 1)  negative sign. "negative", "minus", "the opposite of"
 * 2) * Aldrichimica Acta Volume 30 No 4 (pdf) from Sigma-Aldrich
 * Decomposition of 4 in the presence of cis-piperylene at room temperature results in the stereocontrolled formation of trans-cycloheptadiene 27 in 90% ee (96% ee at -78 °C).
 * −(−5) = 5
 * 1)  Less than, or “or less”.
 * 2)  Relative complement. "minus", "without".
 * {1,2,4} − {1,3,4} = {2}
 * 1)  from the negative side
 * $$\lim_{x\to a^-}f(x)$$ is the same as $$\lim_{x\uparrow a}\,f(x)$$
 * 1)  rejective result from laboratory test
 * 2)  cathode
 * 1)  cathode

Related terms

 * (hyphen-minus)