from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Minority \Mi*nor"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Minorities}. [Cf. F.
minorit['e]. See {Minor}, a. & n.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The state of being a minor, or under age.
[1913 Webster]
2. State of being less or small. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
[1913 Webster]
3. The smaller number; -- opposed to {majority}; as, the
minority must be ruled by the majority.
[1913 Webster]
4. Those members of a legislature that belong to the
political party which is in the minority in that
institution; as, the bill will pass even if the minority
are strongly opposed.
[PJC]