maior Latin · revision 4463

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Twelve Tables|origins=ine-pro *mǵ-i(V)s-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmaj.jɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmaː.jor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''māior''' (neuter ''māius'', genitive ''māiōris''); comparative of [[magnus]]; third declension^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the comparative of [[magnus]] “great”, [[inh|itc-pro|*magjōs|t=greater]], [[inh|ine-pro|*mǵ-i(V)s-|t=greater]].^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary reconstructs it as [[m|ine-pro|*méǵh₂yōs]], formed with the comparative suffix [[m|ine-pro|*-yōs]].^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[osc|mais|t=more]] and [[xum|mestru|t=bigger]].^(de Vaan 2008) Plautus still writes it with a double ⟨i⟩, ⟨maiior⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan records it from the Twelve Tables onwards, where fetters of fifteen pounds are allowed but no greater ones.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the Twelve Tables c. 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant greater in size or in number, and of persons older, often with ''nātū'' “by birth”: Plautus speaks of an elder master.^(OLD 2012) In the plural ''māiōrēs'' were the elders and the ancestors.^(Wiktionary) In abstract use it meant more intense or more important, as ''vīs maior'' “force majeure” and ''morbus maior'' “epilepsy”, and of persons more eminent or exalted.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Medieval Latin used it of a cathedral, ''māior ecclēsia'', and of the cases reserved to higher courts, ''causae māiōrēs''.^(Niermeyer 1976) As a noun it named a steward or headman, the ancestor of [[fro|maire]] and [[en|mayor]].^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) [[en|major]] is from the same comparative.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it of fetters.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus writes ''maiior'' and uses it of an elder master.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''mayor'' is recorded, from Old French ''maire''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Greater, larger, bigger.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # Greater in number or amount.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Older, elder; in the plural, ancestors, forefathers.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # More intense, ''vīs māior'' superior force, ''morbus māior'' [[m|en|epilepsy]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # More important; greater in power or reputation, more eminent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' As a noun, a headman of a town, [[m|en|mayor]].^(Wiktionary)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[māiōriārius]]

+ * [[māiōrīnus]]

+ * [[majusculus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magnus]]

+ * [[maiestas|alt=māiestās]]

+ * [[en|major]]

+ * [[en|mayor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}