I. mə̇ˈnȯrəd.ē, mīˈ-, -när-, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Medieval Latin minoritat-, minoritas, from Latin minor smaller + -itat-, -itas -ity
1. : the state of being a legal minor : the period of being under full legal age — compare infancy
2.
a. : the smaller in number of two aggregates that together constitute a whole
barred from all but a tiny minority of cinemas — Roger Manvell
ten of our presidents have had only a minority of the popular vote behind them — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
b. : the smaller in number of two groups that together constitute a larger entity
only a small minority of students is majoring in a basic subject — W.H.Whyte
specifically : a group (as in a legislative body) having less than the number of votes necessary for control
dividing each constituency … into two halves, the majority to govern and the minority to criticize — C.J.Friedrich
3. or minority group : a group characterized by a sense of separate identity and awareness of status apart from a usually larger group of which it forms or is held to form a part: as
a. : a body of nationals of a state forming a small but appreciable part of the population of another and usually neighboring state
peasants in eastern Europe … wanting a guarantee that the evicted German minorities shall never return — A.J.Toynbee
b. : a group differing from the predominant section of a larger group in one or more characteristics (as ethnic background, language, culture, or religion) and as a result often subjected to differential treatment and especially discrimination
the constitution protects the rights of individuals and of minorities — Luis Muñoz Marín
c. : a group numerically smaller than other groups or a combination of other groups in a community but constituting the predominant element
whites have frequently been dominant minorities — H.O.Dahlke
II. adjective
: of, relating to, or being a minority
an advisory committee on minority housing — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
each committee is … composed of majority and minority members — F.A.Ogg & P.O.Ray
minority races
minority rule
III. noun
: a member of a minority group