plurality

Meaning

Noun

• The state of being plural.
• The holding of multiple benefices.
• A state of being numerous.
• A number or part of a whole which is greater than any other number or part, but not necessarily a majority.
• A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast.
• A margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes.
• A group of many entities: a large number.
• A group composed of more than one entity.
• Polygamy.
• The condition of a single body/person displaying multiple distinct personas.

Related

Similar words

• multiplicity
• relative majority, simple majority
• pluralism

Opposite words

• singularity
• absolute majority

Origin

• plural + -ity, from Middle English pluralite, from Old French pluralité ("multitude, state of being plural"), from Latin plūrālitās.