minor etymology

Etymology:

The word "minor" originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective "parvus," meaning "small."

Meaning:

  • Less in age, size, or importance
  • Secondary or subordinate
  • Not yet fully developed

Origin:

The word "minor" emerged during the Roman Republic (c. 509-31 BC). It was commonly used to refer to younger or less experienced individuals compared to their seniors. The term was also applied in legal and political contexts to denote lower ranks or positions.

Additional Usage:

In medieval European society, "minor" gained additional connotations:

  • Minor Orders: The first stage of ordination in the Catholic Church, below the priesthood
  • Minors: Young children or teenagers under the legal age of majority
  • Minority: A group or population that is smaller or less influential than another

Modern Usage:

Today, the word "minor" is widely used in various fields:

  • Law: A person under the age of legal majority
  • Education: A student in lower grades
  • Music: A key, scale, or interval that is smaller or lower than its major counterpart
  • STEM: A minor degree or field of study that is secondary to a major
  • Medicine: A minor injury or illness

minor relate terms

  • minority

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

  • minor

    Etymology The word minor originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective

  • administer

    Etymology Latin administrare From ad toward ministrare to serve Meaning

  • administration

    Etymology Latin administratio From Latin ad to ministrare to serve Meani

  • comminute

    Etymology Late Latin comminūtus broken into pieces past participle of comminuere to

  • diminish

    Etymology Old French demenische Medieval Latin deminuo Latin deminuere de remove

  • meiosis

    Etymology The word meiosis comes from the Greek word μείωσις meiosis which m

  • Menshevik

    Etymology The term Menshevik is derived from the Russian word меньшевик me

  • menu

    Etymology The word menu comes from the French word menu meaning small It is deriv

  • metier

    Etymology French métier Latin ministerium service Meaning A trade or occupa

  • mince

    Etymology Old French amincier mencier Ultimately from Latin minuere meaning to dimin

  • minestrone

    Etymology The word minestrone comes from the Italian word minestra meaning soup

  • minim

    Etymology The word minim is derived from the Latin word minimus meaning smallest

  • minimum

    Etymology 16th century from Latin minimus superlative of minor smaller Mea

  • minister

    Etymology The word minister is derived from the Latin word minister which means at

  • ministration

    Etymology Latin ministerium from minister servant Meaning 1 The act of administeri

  • ministry

    Etymology The word ministry comes from the Latin word ministerium which means serv

  • minor

    Etymology The word minor originates from the comparative form of the Latin adjective

  • minuend

    Etymology Latin minuendus Meaning A minuend is a number from which another number

  • minuet

    Etymology The word minuet derives from the French word menuet which in turn is like

  • minus

    Etymology The word minus comes from the Latin word minuere which means to make less

  • minuscule

    Etymology The word minuscule derives from the Latin word minusculus which means ver

  • minute

    Etymology The word minute has its roots in the Latin word minutus meaning small o

  • minutia

    Etymology The word minutia originates from Latin and has the following etymology Mi

  • Miocene

    Etymology The name Miocene comes from the Greek words meion meaning less and ka

  • mite

    Etymology The word mite comes from the Old English word mite which in turn is deriv

  • mystery

    Etymology The word mystery comes from the Late Latin word mysterium which in turn co

  • nimiety

    Etymology The word nimiety originates from the Latin word nimietas which means exce

  • major

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

  • major

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

  • major

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

  • petty

    Etymology The word petty comes from the Late Latin word pettifogger which was a term

  • vaccination

    Etymology The word vaccination is derived from the Latin word vacca meaning cow

  • blues

    Etymology The word blues has its roots in several languages English Blue devils

  • frieze

    Etymology The word frieze derives from the French word frise which in turn comes fro

  • changeling

    Etymology Old English changeling Middle English chaungeling Proto Germanic kam

  • rapscallion

    Etymology Rap Scallion Meaning A mischievous or rascally person Origin The word