majorMA'JOR, a. [L.] Greater in number, quantity or extent; as the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory. Major and minor, in music, are applied to concords which differ from each other by a semitone. Major tone, the difference between the fifth and fourth, and major semitone is the difference between the major fourth and the third. The major tone surpasses the minor by a comma. MA'JOR, n. In military affairs, an officer next in rank above a captain, and below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer. Aid-major, an officer appointed to act as major on certain occasions. Brigade-major. [See Brigade.] Drum-major, the first drummer in a regiment, who has authority over the other drummers. Fife-major, the first or chief fifer. Sergeant-major, a non-commissioned officer, subordinate to the adjutant. MA'JOR, n. In law, a person of full age to manage his own concerns. |