major

Definitions


[ˈmeɪdʒə], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- important, serious, or significant
(e.g: the use of drugs is a major problem)

- (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees

- (appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers

- (of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, comparative of magnus ‘great’; perhaps influenced by French majeur


[ˈmeɪdʒə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel

- a major key, interval, or scale

- a major organization or competition
(e.g: the majors have swept up the smaller independent companies in licensing deals)

- a student's principal subject or course
(e.g: many students would ignore courses outside their major)

- a major term or premise


- a goal


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, comparative of magnus ‘great’; perhaps influenced by French majeur


[ˈmeɪdʒə], (Verb)

Definitions:
- specialize in (a particular subject) at college or university
(e.g: I was trying to decide if I should major in drama or English)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: from Latin, comparative of magnus ‘great’; perhaps influenced by French majeur




definition by Oxford Dictionaries