Dominant
/ˈdɒm.ɪ.nənt/noun
Having power, influence, or controlling importance; in music, the fifth note of a scale or the chord built on it.
Did you know?*Dominant* ultimately comes from Latin *dominans*, “ruling,” from *dominus* (“master of a household”), a root that also gave us words tied to ownership and authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dem-
“to build, house, or tame; the source of words for household and control”
Latin
Latin
domus
“house, household”
Latin
Latin
dominus
“master of a house, lord”
Latin
Latin
dominant-
“ruling, prevailing”
Late Middle English
English
dominant
“ruling, controlling; prevailing in power or influence”
Modern English
English
dominant
“having primary control, influence, or prominence”