Definition of the word junior

The word "junior" has its roots in Latin and has been used in English since the 15th century. In Latin, "junior" means "younger" or "tending to be", derived from "junior-', the comparative form of "jun-", meaning "young". Initially, the term was used to describe a younger person in relationship to an elder or more senior person, such as a junior officer in the military or a junior member of a family. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the term began being used to describe a younger version of a title or position, such as a junior doctor or junior lawyer. Over time, the term expanded to be used in various contexts, including academic settings, where a junior student is a younger student in relation to a senior student. Today, the term is widely used in many languages to indicate a younger or less experienced person in a particular role or position.