Minority
/maɪˈnɔːrəti/noun
The state or condition of being fewer in number than another group, or being under the legal age of adulthood.
Did you know?Minority comes from Latin *minor*, “smaller,” from the same ancient root that also gave English words tied to being lesser, younger, and subordinate—proof that language has always encoded hierarchy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mei-
“to diminish, lessen”
Latin
Latin
minor
“smaller, lesser; younger”
Late Latin
Latin
minoritas
“the state of being smaller or lesser”
Old French
Old French
minorité
“minority; minority status”
14th Century
English
minoritee
“the condition of being less in number or underage”
Modern English
English
minority
“the smaller part of a group; legal nonadulthood”