majorate

English

Etymology 1

From Latin maiōrātus, past participle of maiōrō (to augment), derived from Latin maior.[1] By surface analysis, major +‎ -ate (verb-forming suffix). See major (adjective).

Pronunciation

  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Verb

majorate (third-person singular simple present majorates, present participle majorating, simple past and past participle majorated)

  1. (obsolete) To augment; to increase.
    • 1660, James Howell, Parley of Beasts:
      The Embryo [] proceeds to majoration and augmentation accordingly. And it is [] an absurdity to think, that the Infant after conception should be majorated by the influence of any other Soul then that from whom he received his formation.

Etymology 2

From major (noun) +‎ -ate (forms nouns denoting rank or office).[2]

Pronunciation

Noun

majorate (plural majorates)

  1. (military) The office or rank of a major.
    Synonym: majorship

References

  1. ^ majorate, v.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
  2. ^ majorate, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.