minor

views updated

minor less, smaller; applied first to Franciscan friars (friars minor, † minors). XIII. — OF. menour (:- L. minōrem) in freres menours (medL. fratres minores); in other uses — L. minor, which functions as compar. of parvus small, and is rel. to minuere lessen, Gr. minúthein, and méiōn less.
So minoress nun of the second order of St. Francis. XIV. minority XVI. — F. or medL.

More From encyclopedia.com