■ adjective
1》 important, serious, or significant.
↘greater or more important; main.
2》 Music (of a scale) having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees. Contrasted with minor .
↘(of an interval) equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a ~ scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
↘[ postposition ] (of a key) based on a ~ scale: Prelude in G Major.
3》 Brit. dated (appended to a surname in public schools) indicating the elder of two brothers: Smith ~.
4》 Logic (of a term) occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
↘(of a premise) containing the ~ term in a categorical syllogism.
■ noun
1》 a rank of officer in the army and the US air force, above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
↘an officer in charge of a section of band instruments: a trumpet ~.
2》 Music a ~ key, interval, or scale.
3》 a ~ organization or competition.
4》 N. Amer. a student's principal subject or course.
↘a student specializing in a specified subject: a math ~.
5》 Logic a ~ term or premise.
6》 Bell-ringing a system of change-ringing using eight bells.
7》 Australian Rules a goal.
■ verb ( ~ in ) N. Amer. & Austral./NZ specialize in (a subject) at college or university.
Origin
ME: from L., compar. of magnus 'great'; perh. influenced by Fr. majeur .