An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A function, or an element of a set, that dominates others or is greater than all others. In other words, for a function f defined on the interval I, the point M such that for each x on I, f(x)≤ M. See also → minorant.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. majorant, from majorer “to increase, raise,” from L. → major.

Etymology (PE): Mehân, from mehidan, from meh “great, large,” → major.