minority

Meanings

Noun

• The state of being a minor; youth, the period of a person's life prior to reaching adulthood.
• Any subgroup that does not form a numerical majority.
• A member of an ethnic minority.

Adjective

• Of or relating to a minority.
• Empowered by or representing a minority (usually a plurality) of votes cast, legislative seats, etc., rather than an outright majority thereof.

Origin

• From Middle French minorité, and its source Late Latin minōritās, from Latin minor.
• Morphologically minor + -ity