Plus
Plus is an English preposition, conjunction, and noun derived from the Latin adverb plūs, meaning "more", primarily used to denote addition, inclusion, or advantage, as in arithmetical operations or evaluative phrases such as "on the plus side".[1][2] The term entered English usage in the mid-16th century, reflecting its Latin roots in comparative abundance or excess, and extends to informal contexts like grading systems or product naming to indicate enhanced versions.[1][3] The associated plus sign (+), a cross-shaped symbol representing addition in mathematics, originated in the late 15th century as a shorthand for the Latin word et ("and") in European manuscripts, particularly in accounting texts by Johannes Widmann, before evolving into its standard arithmetic function by the 16th century.[4][5] This symbol's adoption facilitated clearer notation in calculations, contrasting with earlier verbal or abbreviated methods, and remains foundational to algebraic expression worldwide.[4][6] In non-mathematical domains, "plus" also functions in linguistics as a comparative suffix or in science to indicate positive charge, underscoring its broad utility across disciplines.[7][8]Mathematics
Symbol and Arithmetic Operations
The plus sign (+) serves as the primary mathematical symbol for the arithmetic operation of addition, representing the combination of two or more quantities to produce a sum.[9] This symbol originated in the late 15th century, likely derived from the Latin word et ("and"), with its earliest printed appearance in 1489 in the German arithmetic text Behende und hübsche Rechenung auf allen Merchantzlig by Johannes Widmann, where it denoted surplus in mercantile calculations.[10] By 1514–1518, it appeared in Luca Pacioli's works for summation, and it gained widespread adoption in Europe during the 16th century, including Robert Recorde's 1557 English text The Whetstone of Witte, which helped standardize its use alongside the minus sign.[11] Addition, denoted by the plus sign, is defined as the binary operation on numerical quantities that yields their total or aggregate value, such as a + b = c, where c is the sum.[9] In the context of natural numbers, addition can be understood through repeated succession or counting, where adding b to a involves incrementing a by one, b times; this extends axiomatically to integers, rationals, and reals via constructions like equivalence classes of pairs for integers.[12] For example, $3 + 2 = 5 reflects combining three units with two more to form five.[13] Addition exhibits key properties that underpin its algebraic structure:- Commutativity: For any numbers a and b, a + b = b + a, allowing order irrelevance in summation.[12]
- Associativity: For any numbers a, b, and c, (a + b) + c = a + (b + c), permitting flexible grouping without altering the result.[12]
- Identity element: Adding zero leaves a number unchanged, so a + 0 = a = 0 + a.[12]
- Closure: The sum of two elements from a set (e.g., integers or reals) remains in that set.[13]
Language and Usage
Etymology and Definitions
The word "plus" entered the English language in the 1570s as a borrowing from Latin plūs, an adverb and comparative form meaning "more" or "in addition," derived from the neuter of plūr-, akin to Proto-Indo-European roots denoting abundance or increase, such as those related to pleh₁- ("to fill").[1][2] This Latin term, itself from earlier Italic forms emphasizing quantity or excess, was initially adopted in mathematical and arithmetic contexts to signify addition, paralleling the emergence of the "+" symbol around the same period in European texts for denoting summation.[1] By the 17th century, its usage expanded beyond numerals to general expressions of augmentation or inclusion, reflecting a direct phonetic and semantic retention from Latin without significant alteration in Middle or Early Modern English.[2] In contemporary English, "plus" functions primarily as a preposition meaning "added to" or "increased by the addition of," as in "five plus three equals eight," emphasizing arithmetic or quantitative increase.[2][14] As a noun, it denotes a positive quantity, an advantage, or an additional benefit, such as "the pluses of remote work include flexibility," where it contrasts with deficits or minuses in evaluative contexts.[15][16] Adjectivally, it describes something advantageous, positive in algebraic terms (e.g., "a plus value"), or ranking highly within a scale, like "a B-plus grade," a usage standardized in educational grading systems by the early 20th century.[2] It also serves as a conjunction in informal speech for "and also" or "with the addition of," though linguists note this as a colloquial extension rather than a primary syntactic role, often critiqued in formal writing for imprecision compared to "and" or "furthermore."[14][16] These senses collectively underscore "plus" as a versatile marker of positivity, increment, or inclusion, with no substantive semantic shift from its Latin progenitor despite evolving idiomatic applications.[2]Colloquial and Idiomatic Expressions
In informal English, "plus" frequently appears in the phrase on the plus side, which refers to the advantageous or positive aspect of a situation, often contrasted with drawbacks. For example, one might say, "The job requires long hours, but on the plus side, it offers flexible remote work." This usage draws from the mathematical symbol's connotation of addition or positivity, and it is recognized in standard dictionaries as a way to highlight benefits amid negatives.[17] Another common idiomatic expression is plus one, denoting an additional guest permitted to accompany an invited attendee to a social event, such as a wedding or party. Invitations may specify "plus one" to indicate that the primary invitee can bring a companion, typically a date or friend, without naming them individually. This term gained prevalence in the late 20th century with the rise of formal event planning and is now standard in English-speaking social etiquette.[18][19] Colloquially, "plus" functions as a conjunction meaning "and" or "furthermore," especially at the beginning of sentences in spoken or informal written English, as in "The conference was informative. Plus, the networking opportunities were excellent." This non-standard syntactic use emerged in American English around 1968 and is accepted by a majority of language experts despite traditional prescriptive objections, reflecting evolving conversational norms.[1] In approximations or estimates, plus or minus indicates a margin of error, as in "The population is 10 million plus or minus 5%," commonly used in scientific, statistical, or everyday contexts to convey uncertainty without precise quantification. This phrasing mirrors the mathematical ± symbol and is pronounced as such in English speech.[20]Music
Albums and Recordings
"+" (stylized as such), the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, was released on 9 September 2011 through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album features acoustic pop and folk influences, with singles including "The A Team," which reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. It topped the UK Albums Chart upon release and has been certified 10× Platinum in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry for sales exceeding 3 million units.[21] Autechre's PLUS, their fifteenth studio album, was surprise-released digitally on 28 October 2020 via Warp Records, with physical vinyl and CD editions following on 20 November 2020. The electronic duo's IDM work comprises nine tracks characterized by intricate rhythms and abstract sound design, receiving critical acclaim for its experimental depth.[22][23] The self-titled debut album by Belgian jazz-funk group Plus, released in 1972 on Pink Elephant Records, blends soul, rock, and progressive elements. Featuring vocals by Leslie Kent and contributions from musicians associated with Placebo and Nico Gomez, the LP is noted for its spacious production and fusion style, later reissued for its cult status in European prog-jazz circles.[24][25] Matt Nathanson's Plus E.P., a promotional extended play, was issued on 14 October 2003, coinciding with his full-length Beneath. The acoustic set previews themes of introspection found in his later work.[26]| Artist | Album Title | Release Date | Label | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Sheeran | + | 9 September 2011 | Asylum/Atlantic | Acoustic Pop/Folk |
| Autechre | PLUS | 28 October 2020 | Warp Records | IDM/Electronic |
| Plus | Plus | 1972 | Pink Elephant | Jazz-Funk/Rock |
| Matt Nathanson | Plus E.P. | 14 October 2003 | Self-released/Promo | Acoustic/Alternative |