major

Main Entry:: ¹ma·jor
Pronunciation:: \ˈmā-jər\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English maiour, from Latin major, comparative of magnus great, large — more at much
Date:: 15th century

1: greater in dignity, rank, importance, or interest <one of the major poets>2: greater in number, quantity, or extent <the major part of his work>3: having attained majority4 a: notable or conspicuous in effect or scope : considerable <a major improvement> b: prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree <earned some major cash>5: involving grave risk : serious <a major illness>6: of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization7 a: having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees <major scale> b: based on a major scale <major key> c: equivalent to the distance between the keynote and another tone (except the fourth and fifth) of a major scale <major third> d: having a major third above the root <major triad>

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