major
1. ma.jor \'ma--j*r\ aj [ME maiour, fr. L major, compar. of magnus great,
large - m]ore at MUCH 1: greater in dignity, rank, importance, or interest
2: greater in number, quantity, or extent 3: having attained majority 4:
notable or conspicuous in effect or scope 5: SERIOUS {a ~ illness} 6a: of
or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of spe
cialization 6b: of or relating to a secondary-school course requiring a
maximum of cla ssroom hours 7a: having half steps between the third and
fourth and the seventh and eig hth degrees {~ scale} 7b: based on a major
scale {~ key} 7c: equivalent to the distance between the keynote and
another tone (excep t the fourth and fifth) of a major scale {~ interval}
7d: containing a major third {~ triad}
2. major n 1: a person having attained majority 2a: one that is superior
in rank, importance, station, or performance 2b: a major musical interval,
scale, key, or mode 3: a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or
marine corps ranking a bove a captain and below a lieutenant colonel 4a: a
subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization 4b: a
student specializing in such field
3. major \'ma-j-(*-)rin\ vi or ma.jor.ing : to pursue an academic major