plurality
UK[plʊəˈrælɪti]US[plʊˈrælɪti]
n
The fact or state of being plural; more than one in number.
n
A large number of people or things; a multitude.
n
(In an election with more than two candidates) the number of votes for the candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority.
Morpheme Breakdown
plur
al
ity
plur
more
al
adjective suffix
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'plurality' traces its lineage to the Latin root plus (genitive pluris), meaning "more." This root is itself derived from the Proto-Indo-European \pleh₁-, meaning "to fill," which also gives rise to English words like "full" and "plus." The adjective-forming suffix "-al" was attached to create "plural," meaning "pertaining to more than one." Finally, the abstract noun suffix "-ity" was added, shifting the meaning from a descriptive quality to the state or condition itself. Thus, the literal construction "the state of pertaining to more" evolved into the modern concepts of multiplicity, a large number, and the specific electoral circumstance of receiving the greatest number of votes among several options.
Analysis
Structure: plur (more) + al (adjective suffix) + ity (noun suffix)
- plur: From Latin plur-, plus (more), indicating quantity greater than one.
- al: A Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning "of or pertaining to."
- ity: A Latin-derived suffix (-itas) forming nouns denoting a state or condition.
Examples
A plurality of voters supported the new policy.
The committee was designed to represent a plurality of opinions.
She won the election with a plurality of 45%, as no candidate achieved an outright majority.