a commissioned military officer ranking next below a lieutenant colonel and next above a captain.
2.
one of superior rank, ability, etc., in a specified class.
3.
Education.
a.
a subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent his or her principal interest and upon which a large share of his or her efforts are concentrated: History was my major at college.
Sports. the major leagues: He coached in the majors as well as in the minors.
b.
the companies or organizations that lead or control a particular field of activity: the oil majors.
–adjective
7.
greater in size, extent, or importance: the major part of the town.
8.
great, as in rank or importance: a major political issue; a major artist.
9.
serious or risky: a major operation.
10.
of or pertaining to the majority: the major opinion.
11.
of full legal age.
12.
Music.
a.
(of an interval) being between the tonic and the second, third, sixth, or seventh degrees of a major scale: a major third; a major sixth.
b.
(of a chord) having a major third between the root and the note next above it.
13.
pertaining to the subject in which a student takes the most courses: Her major field is English history.
14.
(initial capital letter) (of one of two male students in an English public school who have the same surname) being the elder or higher in standing: Hobbes Major is not of a scientific bent.
–verb (used without object)
15.
to follow a major course of study: He is majoring in physics.
[Origin: 1350–1400; < L, comp. of magnus large (cf. majesty); r. ME majour < AF < L, as above]
Ma·jorAudio Help (mā'jər) Pronunciation Key
British banker and conservative politician who served as prime minister from 1990 to 1997. During his administration he advocated privatization, anti-inflationary budget discipline, and negotiations for peace in Northern Ireland.
c.1400, from L. major (earlier *magjos), irregular comp. of magnus "large, great" (see magnate). Used in music (of modes, scales, or chords) since 1694, on notion of an interval a half-tone greater than the minor. The verb meaning "focus (one's) studies" is 1924, from noun in sense of "subject of specialization" (1890). The adv. form majorly emerged c.1990.
military rank, 1643, from Fr., short for sergent-major, originally a higher rank than at present, from M.L. major "chief officer, magnate, superior person," from L. major "an elder, adult," noun use of the adjective (see major (adj.)).
Major County, OK (county, FIPS 93) Location: 36.31131 N, 98.54189 W Population (1990): 8055 (3855 housing units) Area: 2478.2 sq km (land), 2.9 sq km (water)
Mag`gio"re\, a. [It., from L. major, compar. of magnus great. See Major.] (Mus.) Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when used in opposition to minor; major. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Maj"es*ty\, n.; pl. Majesties. [OE. magestee, F. majest['e], L. majestas, fr. an old compar. of magnus great. See Major, Master.] The dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or state which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted dignity, whether proceeding from rank, character, or bearing; imposing loftiness; stateliness; -- usually applied to the rank and dignity of sovereigns. The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. --Ps. xciii. 1. No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of great state with more dignity and grace. --Macaulay. 2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun, the title of an emperor, king or queen; -- in this sense taking a plural; as, their majesties attended the concert. In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles V.] now issued as King of Spain, he assumed the title of Majesty, and required it from his subjects as a mark of respect. Before that time all the monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the appellation of Highness or Grace. --Robertson. 3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. --Dryden.
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Audio Help [mey-jer] Pronunciation Key 
