¦ adjective
1. important, serious, or significant.
greater or more important; main.
2.
Music (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees. Contrasted with
minor.
(of an interval) equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
[postposition] (of a key) based on a major scale: Prelude in G Major.
3. Brit. dated (appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers: Smith major.
4. Logic (of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
(of a premise) containing the major term in a categorical syllogism.
¦ noun
1. a rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
an officer in charge of a section of band instruments: a trumpet major.
2. Music a major key, interval, or scale.
3. a major organization or competition.
4. N. Amer. a student's principal subject or course.
a student specializing in a specified subject: a math major.
5. Logic a major term or premise.
6. Bell-ringing a system of change-ringing using eight bells.
7. Australian Rules a goal.
¦ verb (major in) N. Amer. & Austral./NZ specialize in (a subject) at college or university.
Origin
ME: from L., compar. of magnus 'great'; perh. influenced by Fr. majeur.