Definition of the word major

The word "major" has its roots in Latin. The Latin term "major" means "greater" or "larger". It was used as an adjective to describe something or someone that is superior in size, importance, or degree. The Latin "major" is also the Latin word for "warrior" or "soldier", which led to the development of the term "major" in the context of the Roman military. In the 14th century, the term "major" was adopted into Middle English from Old French, where it referred to a senior officer of the military. Over time, the term "major" has taken on various meanings, including a unit of measurement (e.g., "major scale"), a level of achievement (e.g., "major award"), and a title of academic distinction (e.g., "majorSTREAM"). Despite its evolution, the core meaning of "major" remains connected to the idea of something being greater or of higher importance.