major
UK[ˈmeɪdʒə(r)]US[ˈmeɪdʒər]
adj
greater in size, amount, importance, or seriousness
adj
(music) based on a scale in which the third note is a major third above the first
n
an officer of middle rank in the British or US army, marines, or air force
n
a student's main subject or course of study at a college or university
v
to study something as your main subject at a college or university
Morpheme Breakdown
maj
or
maj
greater
or
comparative suffix
Etymology
The word 'major' entered English in the 15th century, directly from the Latin adjective 'major', meaning 'greater'. This Latin term is itself the comparative form of 'magnus' (great, large), which traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root meg- meaning 'great'. The core semantic logic has remained remarkably stable: from the ancient concept of physical size or greatness, it evolved to denote comparative importance, rank, or seriousness. In academic and military contexts, this sense of 'greater' was applied to signify a primary field of study or a specific officer rank, solidifying its modern abstract meanings.
Analysis
Structure: maj (greater) + or (comparative suffix)
'maj' originates from Latin 'major', the comparative form of 'magnus' meaning 'great, large'. The suffix '-or' is a Latin comparative suffix indicating 'more' or 'greater'.
Examples
There has been a major change in government policy.
She decided to major in economics at Harvard.
He was promoted to the rank of major after ten years of service.