quorum
UK[ˈkwɔːrəm]US[ˈkwɔːrəm]
n
The minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.
Etymology
The word 'quorum' originates from the Latin word 'quōrum', which is the genitive plural form of the relative pronoun 'quī' (meaning 'who' or 'which'). It entered English legal and parliamentary language in the early 15th century from a phrase in commissions and writs: "quōrum ... ūnum esse volumus" ("of whom we wish [a specified person] to be one"). This designated certain essential members whose presence was required for a body to conduct business. Over time, the term was abstracted from referring to the specific people themselves to signify the required minimum number of any members that must be present. Thus, a word that literally meant "of whom" evolved to signify the foundational procedural concept of a minimum attendance threshold.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes using its modern English spelling.
Examples
The meeting could not begin as they failed to achieve a quorum.
According to the bylaws, a quorum of two-thirds of the board is required to vote on the motion.
Enough members arrived just in time to establish a quorum and proceed with the official agenda.