Minority - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition minority

minority

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pl: -ties
1 a : the period before attainment of majority
b : the state of being a minor
2 : the smaller of two groups constituting a whole: as
a : a group (as in a legislative body) having less than the number of votes necessary for control
b : a group of judges among those hearing an appeal who disagree with the majority's judgment
: dissent
c : a group of jurisdictions taking a less widespread approach to or view of a legal question, issue, or problem
3 a : a part of a population differing esp. from the dominant group in some characteristics (as race, sex, or national origin) and often subject to differential treatment
b : a member of a minority [an effort to hire more minorities]