quorum
Other forms: quorums
A quorum is not necessarily a majority of members of a group, but the minimum needed in order to conduct business. For example, if two members of a group are absent, there can still be a quorum, meaning the meeting can go on without them.
The noun quorum is plural of qui in Latin, meaning "of whom." The first quorum was an eminent group of justices of the peace. The word quorum was used in the commission papers that gave them the authority to act. Over time the current meaning, the minimum number needed to conduct business, was added, but the word still retains the meaning of a select group, as well.
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a gathering of the minimal number of members of an organization to conduct businesstypes:minyanthe quorum required by Jewish law to be present for public worship (at least ten males over thirteen years of age)type of:
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Vocabulary lists containing quorum
The Constitution is, quite simply, the basis of American democracy. The document details what the branches of government must do, what they are entitled to do, and what they cannot do. Read the full text here.
The Constitution is, quite simply, the basis of all American democracy. The document details what the branches of government must do, are entitled to do, and what they cannot do. Abraham Lincoln said: "Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." In addition to cherishing the Constitution as the tangible basis of all our rights and laws, there is always a lot of controversy in political circles about what is and isn't "constitutional," so it is important to be familiar with what the actual document says to be able to evaluate those claims. The entire document can be read here.