Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - majority

n. (pl. -ies) 1 (usu. foll. by of) the greater number or part. Usage Strictly used only with countable nouns, e.g. a majority of people, and not with mass nouns, e.g. a majority of the work. 2 Polit. a the number by which the votes cast for one party, candidate, etc. exceed those of the next in rank (won by a majority of 151). b a party etc. receiving the greater number of votes. 3 full legal age (attained his majority). 4 the rank of major. Phrases and idioms the great majority 1 much the greater number. 2 euphem. the dead (has joined the great majority). in the majority esp. Polit. belonging to or constituting a majority party etc. majority rule the principle that the greater number should exercise greater power. majority verdict a verdict given by more than half of the jury, but not unanimous. Etymology: F majorit{eacute} f. med.L majoritas -tatis (as MAJOR)