Majority, the state of a person or thing greater, or superior,
in relation to another person or thing. In canon law the
expression has three principal acceptations: - In the elections
or deliberations of any assembly, majority signifies a higher
number of votes. There is an "absolute majority when the number
of votes exceeds half the number of the voters; a "relative
majority" when the votes for the one candidate, or party,
numerically exceed those given to any other. There are also
certain special majorities required in certain cases, such as
that of two-thirds required for pontifical elections (see
CONCLAVE; ELECTION); - In reference to persons, majority is the
state of persons who have reached the age required for such and
such definite acts; in particular for acts of civil life. As a
rule, the age of majority is fixed at twenty-one years (see
MINORS); - In the hierarchical sense, majority is the
superiority of certain persons over certain others by reason of
the charge or dignity held by the former. It co