Majority
/məˈdʒɒr.ɪ.ti/noun
The greater part or number; in politics, the side with more votes.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *maior*, “greater,” the same root behind *major* and *majority*—a reminder that words about power often begin as simple comparisons.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meg-
“to be big, great”
Latin
Latin
maior
“greater, older”
Late Latin
Latin
maioritas
“greater state or condition; superiority”
Old French
Old French
majorité
“greater part; status of being of full age”
Middle English
English
maiorite
“greater number or amount”
Modern English
English
majority
“the greater part or number; the side with more votes”