Major

In its original form as a Latin word, meaning greater, major appears in one or two maxims. Major haereditas venit unicuique nostrum a jure et legibus quam a parentibus. A greater inheritance comes to every one of us from right and the laws than from parents. Major in se continet minus. The greater contains within itself the less. Majore poena affectus quam legibus statuta est, non est infamia. One affected with a greater punishment than is provided by the laws is not infamous.

Majori summae minor inest

In the greater sum the less is included. The plural, majores, is said to have been used (Bouvier) among the Romans, and in genealogical tables of more modern times, to signify male ascendants beyond the sixth degree; also (Burrill), in old English law, to denote persons of higher rank.