Legal Definitions - minus

In a legal context, particularly historically in Roman law, minus refers to something being less than what was due, expected, or required, or sometimes indicating a complete absence or failure to meet an obligation. It signifies a deficit, a shortfall, or an unfulfilled portion.

• Example 1: Contractual Performance

  Imagine a scenario where a supplier was contracted to deliver 500 units of a specific component to a manufacturer. However, due to an oversight, only 450 units were actually shipped and received.

  In this case, the delivery was minus the agreed-upon quantity, meaning the manufacturer received less than the full amount stipulated in the contract.

• Example 2: Estate Distribution

  Consider a will that clearly states a particular piece of jewelry should be bequeathed to a specific heir. When the estate is finally settled and assets are distributed, that specific piece of jewelry cannot be located among the decedent's possessions.

  Here, the inheritance for the designated heir is minus the specified jewelry, indicating its complete absence from the distributed estate.

• Example 3: Financial Obligation

  A borrower makes a monthly loan payment, but due to a calculation error, the amount transferred is slightly less than the full installment due, perhaps missing a small interest component.

  The payment made is minus the complete amount owed for that month, signifying a shortfall or an amount less than the total financial obligation.