%- calls a gate on one argument (or one cell of arguments).

%-(dec 8) is 7.

irregular forms:

(gate arg) is %-(gate arg)

dec is decrement: one less than an atom.

(dec 8) is 7.

%: calls a gate with several arguments, gathering them into one sample.

%:(add 2 3) is 5.

irregular forms:

(gate a b c) is %:(gate a b c)