quorum
/ˈkwɔːrəm/
noun
Origin
Latin
qui — who
Overview
Meaning Now
- The minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.
Literal older meaning
of whom
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
quorum
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term originated in English commissions of the peace. A judge 'of the quorum' was one whose presence was required to hold court. Over time, the requirement for a specific individual to be present evolved into the requirement for a specific number of individuals to be present for a meeting to be legally authorized to conduct business.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
quorum
“of whom”
Genitive plural of the relative pronoun 'qui'.
- Medieval Latin
quorum
“of whom (among whom)”
Used in commissions appointing specific justices who must be present for a session to be valid.
- English, 17th century
quorum
“minimum number for a valid meeting”
Generalized from the legal context to parliamentary and deliberative bodies.
Connections
Word parts
qu-
root
who/what
-orum
ending
genitive plural suffix
Related across languages
French
quorum
Explore next
Related to quorum
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.