majority

過半数、大多数

集団の人や物の数の半分を超える部分。

やさしい英語で： More than half of the people or things in a group.

• The majority of people agreed.
• A large majority voted for the change.
• Are women the majority in your class?

使い方： a/the majority of something (The majority of students live nearby.)

類義語： greater part

反対語： minority

よく使う表現： the majority, large majority, majority vote, majority of people

議席差

議会で与党や政権側の議席数が対立する側を上回る分。

やさしい英語で： The number of seats by which the governing party or group exceeds its opponents in a lawmaking body.

• The party has a narrow majority.
• Their majority fell to just two seats.
• The government lost its parliamentary majority after several members resigned.

使い方： a majority of + number (The government has a majority of eight seats.)

類義語： seat advantage

よく使う表現： narrow majority, parliamentary majority, working majority, majority of three

少佐の階級

陸軍の少佐という将校の階級や地位。

やさしい英語で： The position or rank of an army officer called a major.

• The officer received a majority.
• He obtained his majority after years of service.
• A vacant majority in the regiment attracted several experienced captains.

よく使う表現： receive a majority, obtain a majority, a vacant majority