Etymologically
Log in

minoritas

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 14:15. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Forms

minōritās f (genitive minōritātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin minor2 (“smaller, less”) + -tās.[1][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's earliest citation is a letter of Robert Grosseteste (c. 1239), on whether a right of patronage changes with the greater or smaller size of the thing it concerns.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was coined as the opposite of maioritas, with which it is often paired.[3][4][5] It meant a smaller amount or a decrease, the lower value of depreciated money, and the shorter length of days;[3][6] in law it was the state of being under age.[6][7][5] It could also mean a lower rank or a lesser importance.[5][8]

English minority was taken from French minorité or directly from the Medieval Latin word in the 1530s.[9]

Timeline

  • c. 1239 – Robert Grosseteste uses it of a smaller amount.[3]
  • 1339 – Köbler dates the word to this year.[2]
  • 1437 – A Hungarian charter shares a legacy by the greater or smaller size of the churches.[4]
  • 1530s – English borrows it as minority, “the state of being smaller”.[9]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A smaller amount or number; a decrease.[6][3][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) The lower value of money.[3]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Shorter length or duration.[3]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Minority, the state of being under age.[6][7][5]
  5. (Medieval Latin) A lower rank or condition; lesser importance.[5][8]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b Bartal, Antal, et al. (1987–), Lexicon Latinitatis Medii Aevi Hungariae, Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; online ed. ELTE
  5. ^ a b c d e f du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  6. ^ a b c d Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
  9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com