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Dictionarylesssubtraction
preposition

less

LESS/les/

With a specified amount subtracted.

Five counters less two leaves three in the tray's main recess.

A small wooden subtraction teaching tray shows five counters less two: three remain in the main recess, while two have been moved into a separate removal recess.
Etymology
lessOld Englishless

Old English læs expressed a smaller amount. In the subtraction sense, “less” specifies how much to take away from a total, leaving a smaller remainder.

More examples

  • He received his salary less the required deductions.
  • The final total is eighty dollars less the deposit.
  • They returned the fee less a small processing charge.

Forms

less

Similar words

minus
The usual mathematical alternative.
fewer
Used for countable items rather than an amount generally.