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The smaller number; -- opposed to Ant: majority; as, the minority must be ruled by the majority.

ed or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; -- usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.

A political party in France, during the minority of Louis XIV., who opposed the government, and made war upon the court party.

The state or condition of one under age, or under the age of twenty-one years; nonage; minority.

Time of life before a person becomes of age; legal immaturity; minority. The human mind . . . was still in its nonage. Coleridge.

One having the care of the kingdom during the king's minority; a regent. Is it concluded he shall be protector ! Shak.

on obeyed the call, rallied round the sovereign, and enabled him to quell the disaffected minority. Macaulay. Northward marching to quell the sudden revolt. Longfellow.

ody of men intrusted with vicarious government; as, a regency constituted during a king's minority, absence from the kingdom, or other disability. A council or regency consisting of twelve persons. Lowth.

Especially, one invested with vicarious authority; one who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign.

One who, or that which, stings. Professor E. Forbes states that only a small minority of the medusæ of our seas are stingers. Owen.