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Plus

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plus

[pluhs]
–preposition
1. more by the addition of; increased by: ten plus two is twelve.
2. with the addition of; with: He had wealth plus fame.
–adjective
3. involving or noting addition.
4. positive: a plus quantity.
5. more (by a certain amount).
6. Electricity. pertaining to or characterized by positive electricity: the plus terminal.
7. Mycology. (in heterothallic fungi) designating, in the absence of morphological differentiation, one of the two strains of mycelia that unite in the sexual process.
8. having a certain quality to an unusual degree: He has personality plus.
–noun
9. a plus quantity.
10. Arithmetic. plus sign.
11. something additional.
12. a surplus or gain.
–conjunction
13. Informal. also; and; furthermore: A bicycle is cheaper than a car, plus it doesn't pollute the air.
–adverb
14. in addition; besides.

Origin:
1570–80; < L plūs more; akin to Gk pleíōn, ON fleiri more, OE feolu, fela, G viel, Goth filu, OIr il, Gk polý many


Since plus as a preposition has long had the meanings “more by the addition of” and “with the addition of,” it was but a short step to a newer use, mainly in informal writing and speech, as a conjunction meaning “also, and, furthermore.” Although this use is increasing, many object to it, and it is rare in more formal writing. And plus is likewise objected to, especially for being redundant: The paper was delivered two hours late, and plus it was soaking wet.

plu

[ploo]
–noun
plew.

plew

[ploo]
–noun Older Use (in Western U.S. and Canada).
a beaver skin, esp. one of prime quality.
Also, plu.


Origin:
1790–1800; < CanF pelu; F: n. use of pelu haired, hairy (now obs. or dial.); see poilu
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Plus
plus   (plŭs)   
conj.  
  1. Mathematics Increased by the addition of: Two plus two is four.

  2. Added to; along with: Their strength plus their spirit makes them formidable. Intelligence plus wit makes for an interesting person.

  3. Usage Problem And: "[He] is a committed man, plus he has imagination, vitality and national stature" (Merv Griffin).

adj.  
  1. Positive or on the positive part of a scale: a plus value; a temperature of plus five degrees.

  2. Added or extra: a plus benefit.

  3. Informal Increased to a further degree or number: "At 70 plus, [he] is old enough to be metaphysical" (Anatole Broyard).

  4. Ranking on the higher end of a designated scale: a grade of C plus.

  5. Physics Positive.

n.   pl. plus·es or plus·ses
  1. Mathematics The plus sign (+).

  2. A positive quantity.

  3. A favorable condition or factor: The clear weather was a plus for the golf tournament.


[Latin plūs, more; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: When mathematical equations are pronounced as English sentences, the verb is usually in the singular: Two plus two is (or equals) four. By the same token, subjects containing two noun phrases joined by plus are usually construed as singular: The construction slowdown plus the bad weather has made for a weak market. This observation has led some to argue that in these sentences, plus functions as a preposition meaning "in addition to." But if this were true, the plus phrase could be moved to the beginning of the sentence. Clearly, this is not the case—we do not say Plus the bad weather, the construction slowdown has made for a weak market. It makes more sense to view plus in these uses as a conjunction that joins two subjects into a single entity requiring a single verb by notional agreement, just as and does in the sentence Chips and beans is her favorite appetizer. · The usage plus which in The construction industry has been hurt by the rise in rates. Plus which, bad weather has affected housing starts is not well established in formal writing; nor is plus accepted as correct in introducing an independent clause, as in She has a great deal of talent, plus she is willing to work hard.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

plus 
1579, the oral rendering of the arithmetical sign +, from L. plus "more" (comparative of multus "much"), altered by influence of minus from *pleos, from PIE *ple- "full" (see plenary). Placed after a whole number to indicate "and a little more," it is attested from 1902. As a conj., "and," it is Amer.Eng. colloquial, attested from 1968. Plus fours (1921) were four inches longer in the leg than standard knickerbockers, to produce an overhang, originally a style assoc. with golfers. The plus-sign itself has been well-known since at least 1489 and is perhaps an abbreviation of L. et (see etc.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: plus
Pronunciation: 'pl&s
Function: adjective
: relating to or being a particular one of the two mating types that are required forsuccessful fertilization in sexual reproduction in some lower plants (as a fungus) —compare MINUS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

PLUS
Late 60's. Machine-oriented systems language used internally by Univac.

plus
+
Common: ITU-T: plus; add. Rare: cross; INTERCAL: intersection.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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