Minor orders

Minor orders
minor mi"nor (m[imac]"n[~e]r), a. [L., a comparative with no positive; akin to AS. min small, G. minder less, OHG. minniro, a., min, adv., Icel. minni, a., minnr, adv., Goth. minniza, a., mins, adv., Ir. & Gael. min small, tender, L. minuere to lessen, Gr. miny`qein, Skr. mi to damage. Cf. {Minish}, {Minister}, {Minus}, {Minute}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Inferior in bulk, degree, importance, etc.; less; smaller; of little account; as, minor divisions of a body. [1913 Webster]

2. (Mus.) Less by a semitone in interval or difference of pitch; as, a minor third. [1913 Webster]

{Asia Minor} (Geog.), the Lesser Asia; that part of Asia which lies between the Euxine, or Black Sea, on the north, and the Mediterranean on the south.

{Minor mode} (Mus.), that mode, or scale, in which the third and sixth are minor, -- much used for mournful and solemn subjects.

{Minor orders} (Eccl.), the rank of persons employed in ecclesiastical offices who are not in holy orders, as doorkeepers, acolytes, etc.

{Minor scale} (Mus.) The form of the minor scale is various. The strictly correct form has the third and sixth minor, with a semitone between the seventh and eighth, which involves an augmented second interval, or three semitones, between the sixth and seventh, as, 6/F, 7/G[sharp], 8/A. But, for melodic purposes, both the sixth and the seventh are sometimes made major in the ascending, and minor in the descending, scale, thus: [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster] See {Major}.

{Minor term of a syllogism} (Logic), the subject of the conclusion. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Minor Orders — • The lower degrees of the hierarchy are designated by the name of minor orders, in opposition to the major or sacred orders Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Minor Orders     Minor Orders …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • minor orders — plural noun The lower degrees of holy orders, ie porter, exorcist, lector and acolyte • • • Main Entry: ↑minor minor orders In the Roman Catholic Church those of acolyte, exorcist, reader and doorkeeper, in the Eastern Churches, reader • • • Main …   Useful english dictionary

  • minor orders — n. R.C.Ch. Historical four clerical ranks (porter, lector, exorcist, acolyte) conferred before the subdiaconate * * * …   Universalium

  • minor orders — n. R.C.Ch. Historical four clerical ranks (porter, lector, exorcist, acolyte) conferred before the subdiaconate …   English World dictionary

  • Minor orders — The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. The most recognized minor orders are porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte. In the Latin rite Catholic Church, the minor orders were in most cases replaced by instituted ministries of …   Wikipedia

  • Minor orders — Order Or der, n. [OE. ordre, F. ordre, fr. L. ordo, ordinis. Cf. {Ordain}, {Ordinal}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Regular arrangement; any methodical or established succession or harmonious relation; method; system; as: (a) Of material things, like the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • minor orders —    This term (from the Latin minor, meaning lesser or smaller ) contrasts with the major orders of subdeacon, deacon, priest, and bishop. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, there were four minor orders acolyte, lector, porter, andexorcist that… …   Glossary of theological terms

  • Minor orders — Those belonging to the minor orders were tonsured and members of the *clergy. Among their ranks were porter and lector, also *acolyte and *exorcist. Cf. Minor canon; Major orders …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • Minor Orders — the lower ranks of the Christian ministry, comprising the orders of acolyte, exorcist, reader and doorkeeper ♦ The first tonsure and the four grades of clerkship below subdeacon, committing recipients neither to a clerical career nor to celibacy …   Medieval glossary

  • minor orders — plural noun chiefly historical the grades of Catholic or Orthodox clergy below the rank of deacon …   English new terms dictionary

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