What does "Minotaur" literally mean?

It basically means "Minos's Bull". The minotaur was the guardian of King Minos's labyrinth, which he pretty much built solely to stow it away because he was ashamed of it (basically because it was the offspring of his wife's dalliances with an actual bull).

And to correct another answerer, it was King Midas who had the "Midas" touch - that's a different myth altogether. Unless you knew that and were just trolling. But trolls are yet *another* myth. I could go on, but I probably shouldn't. I'm embarrassing myself enough as it is.

Minotaur Meaning

Banque is correct: Minotaur means "Minos' Bull". The Minotaur was owned by King Minos and guarded the labyrinth beneath his castle. Apparently the poor Minotaur doesn't deserve a unique name.

And it's the Midas touch, answerer above. Sheesh.

King Minos housed the Minotaur on Crete Island inside a byzantine maze, called the Minotaur's Labyrinth.

People to be punished were thrown in the labyrinth and once inside they would never return, until the Minotaur was assassinated by Theseus.

So, Mino = King Minos

Taur = Taurus (Bull), i.e., King Minos' Bull

Edit: I received a thumbs down, kindly read carefully, I didn't write King Minos Bull, I wrote King Minos' Bull, i.e., The Bull of King Minos. I agree Minos was a man, he was a King. It's not my problem some people can't read.

Minotaur means

(Greek mythology) a mythical monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man; slain by Theseus

Minos means Minos, as in King Minos, The husband of the woman who bore him and the man who had Daedalus build a labyrinth for him. In other words he was Midas's bull.

Ann

It means Mino's bull. (Mino was a man).

you know the creature.

Minus was the name of the minotaur´s father (the guy who had the minus touch)