majority etymology

Etymology:

The word "majority" comes from the Latin "major," meaning "greater" or "senior," and the suffix "-ity," which denotes a state or quality.

Meaning:

  • The greater part or number of a group or population.
  • The number of votes or opinions required to constitute a decision or resolution.
  • The condition of being of legal age (usually 18 years old in most countries).

Origin:

The concept of majority as a numerical advantage can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where assemblies and councils made decisions based on the majority vote of their members.

In the Roman Republic, "maior pars" (greater part) referred to the majority of votes required to pass a law or elect an official. This concept was later adopted into English by way of Old French and Middle English.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the term "majority" gained additional significance in the context of democracy. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that the majority should have the right to govern, as long as they respected the rights of minorities.

In modern times, the majority rule principle continues to be a fundamental principle of democratic societies. However, it is often balanced with other principles, such as minority rights and the rule of law, to ensure fairness and inclusiveness.

majority relate terms

  • major

    Etymology Old French majur Latin major greater Meaning Of greater size impo

  • majoritarian

    Etymology From French majoritaire from Late Latin majoritār from Latin major compa

  • majority

    Etymology The word majority comes from the Latin major meaning greater or senior

  • acromegaly

    Etymology and Meaning The word acromegaly is derived from Greek ἄκρος akros

  • Almagest

    Almagest Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The word Almagest is derived from t

  • Charlemagne

    Etymology The name Charlemagne is derived from a combination of Germanic elements Kar

  • maestro

    Etymology Italian maestro from Latin magister meaning teacher or master Meani

  • magisterial

    Etymology The word magisterial is derived from the Latin word magister which means

  • magistral

    Etymology The word magistral comes from the Latin word magister which means master

  • magistrate

    Etymology The word magistrate is derived from the Latin word magistratus which orig

  • magnate

    Etymology The word magnate comes from the Old French word magnat which in turn come

  • magnitude

    Etymology Latin magnitūdō from magnus great Proto Indo European meg great

  • magnum

    Etymology The word magnum is derived from the Latin word magnus meaning great l

  • magnanimity

    Etymology Magnanimity comes from the Latin word magnanimitas derived from magnus

  • magnanimous

    Etymology The word magnanimous comes from two Latin words magnus great large

  • magni

    Etymology Latin magnus great large Meaning Large great strong honorable

  • Magnificat

    Etymology Magnificat is a Latin word derived from the first word of the canticle Magn

  • magnificence

    Etymology Old French magnificence Latin magnificentia from magnificus magnificent

  • magnificent

    Etymology Latin magnificus Proto Indo European meg n meaning great Meaning

  • magnify

    Etymology Latin magnus great French magnifier to enlarge Meaning To incr

  • magniloquence

    Etymology lt Latin magniloquentia grandiloquence from magniloquus grandiloque

  • magniloquent

    Etymology Magniloquent is derived from the Latin phrase magni loqui meaning to spe

  • Magnus

    Etymology Latin Magnus great Meaning Great or large Origin Magnus is

  • maharajah

    Etymology The word maharajah is derived from the Sanskrit compound word maha raja wh

  • maharishi

    Etymology The word maharishi is derived from Sanskrit and is composed of two parts M

  • mahatma

    Etymology The word Mahatma is a Sanskrit term derived from two root words Maha Mean

  • Mahayana

    Etymology The term Mahayana is derived from the Sanskrit words maha meaning great o

  • Maia

    Etymology Greek Μάια Maia Meaning Great Mother or Nurse Origin Mai

  • majesty

    Etymology The word majesty comes from the Old French word majesté which in turn co

  • major

    Etymology Old French majur Latin major greater Meaning Of greater size impo

  • major domo

    Etymology French maître d hôtel literally master of the household Latin major do

  • majority

    Etymology The word majority comes from the Latin major meaning greater or senior

  • majuscule

    Etymology From Late Latin maiusculus larger diminutive of maior greater Mea

  • master

    Etymology The word master comes from the Old French word maistre which in turn comes

  • Maxim

    Etymology The name Maxim is derived from the Latin word maximus which means greatest

  • maximum

    Etymology Maximum comes from the Latin word maximus meaning greatest It is derive

  • mayor

    Etymology Old French maire Medieval Latin major Latin major comparative of magnus

  • mega

    Etymology The word mega is derived from the Greek word μέγας megas meaning g

  • megalo

    Etymology Greek μέγας megas large λόγος logos word Meaning Larg

  • mickle

    Etymology The word mickle is derived from the Middle English word mikel which in tur

  • mister

    Etymology Origin Late 16th century Latin magister master teacher er agent n

  • mistral

    Etymology and Meaning The word mistral originates from the Provençal word mistral w

  • mistress

    Etymology The word mistress derives from the Old French word maistresse which in tu

  • much

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true s

  • omega

    Etymology The word omega is derived from the Greek letter Ω omega which is the 24t

  • minority

    Etymology The word minority comes from the Latin word minōritās which means small

  • minority

    Etymology The word minority comes from the Latin word minōritās which means small

  • bulk

    Etymology The word bulk has multiple etymological origins Old English bulc mean

  • cloture

    Etymology French clôture enclosure closure Latin claudere to shut to close

  • silent

    Etymology The term silent etymology refers to a word that has a different meaning today

  • plurality

    Plurality Etymology Latin pluralitas plurality From plus more alitas st

  • oligarchy

    Etymology Greek oligarchia oligos few arkhos leader Meaning and Origin Ol

  • maturity

    Etymology Mature Late 14th century from Old French mature ripe mature accomplished

  • number

    Etymology Comes from the Old French word nombere which derives from the Latin numer