Major

(mā'jör.) [L., greater.] (Log.) The first proposition of a regular syllogism, containing the principal term.-(Mus.) A term employed in denoting those modes in which the third is 4 semitones above the key-note, and to intervals consisting of 4 semitones. Major and minor are applied to concords which differ from each other by a semitone.-(Mil.) A title which, in the U. S. army, corresponds with that of lieut.-commander in the navy. - A Brigadier M. is a staff -officer who exercises similar functions, in a brigade or in garrison, to those performed by a major in a regiment or battalion.- Major-General. See GENERAL. [s. 570]