A 较大的，主要的 greater when compared with others in size, number, importance, or seriousness

　～ earthquake　大地震
　～ improvement　很大的提高
　～ industries　主要工业
　～ operation　大手术
　～ roads　要道
　～ subjects　主修专业课程

　There are major and minor principles in everything, and the minor principles are all subordinate to the major.　事情有大道理，有小道理，一切小道理都归大道理管着。
　Seek common ground on major questions while reserving differences on minor ones.　求大同存小异。
　The major part of the town was ruined by the earthquake.　这城镇的大部分已被这次地震造成一片废墟。
　The output of 13 major products has increased by a wide margin.　十三项主要产品的产量都有大幅度增长。
　The two major dancers are level with each other.　两个主要舞蹈演员长得一般高。
　Scientists think they have broken through in their attempt to find the causes of many major diseases.　科学家们认为，他们在探索主要病症的病因方面有了新的进展。
　They suffered some major setbacks during the fighting.　在这次战斗中，他们遭到了严重挫折。
　The car needs major repairs.　这辆汽车需要大修。
　The year went out with the news of a major earthquake in Peru.　那年年终，传来了秘鲁发生大地震的消息。
　Lack of experience does not constitute a major hindrance to progress.　经验缺乏并不是进步的主要障碍。
　They were understood to have reviewed all major foreign policy issues.　据了解，他们讨论了所有重大的外交政策问题。

　她比我大。
　［误］ She is major than I am.
　［正］ She is older than I am.
　［析］ major不能与than同用。

1. C 少校 an officer of middle rank in the British or US army or marines or
　the US airforce
2. C 专业；主修科目 a chief or special subject at a university

　admire a ～　羡慕少校
　appoint a ～　任命少校
　ask the ～　问少校
　decide on a ～　决定专业
　dismiss a ～　解雇少校
　promote a ～　晋升少校
　respect a ～　尊敬少校
　save a ～　拯救一个少校
　welcome a ～　欢迎少校
　able ～　有能力的少校
　gifted ～　有才华的少校
　respected ～　受尊敬的少校
　army ～　陆军少校
　English ～　英语专业的学生
　navy ～　海军少校

　A major precedes a captain in rank.　少校军阶高于上尉。
　The two majors were degraded for disobeying orders.　这两个少校因不服从命令而被降级。
　The major has to answer for the discipline of his company.　少校应对其连队的纪律负责。
　She was lifted from a captain to the rank of major.　她从上尉提升为少校。
　The Major of Gary demanded obedience from his men.　加里少校要求士兵服从他的指挥。
　The sergeant major inspects the barracks every day.　军士长每天视察营房。
　He called himself a major.　他自称是少校。
　Major, order the men to blaze away.　少校，命令士兵连续射击。
　Mathematics is my major.　我的专业是数学。

　vi.　主修，专攻 study as the chief subjects when doing a university degree

　major　用作动词时意思是“主修，专攻”，主要用在美式英语中，多与介词in连用，罕用于被动结构。

 ♣ major in　(v.+prep.)
　主修，专攻　specialize in a certain subject.
　She majored in maths and physics at university.　她在大学里主修数学和物理。
　Are you majoring in English Literature? 　你是在专修英国文学吗?
　He majored in International Politics at Harvard University.　他在哈佛大学主修国际政治。
　In college I majored in natural science. What was your major?　上大学时我主修自然科学，你当时学什么专业?
　Brian majored in economics.　布莱恩主修经济学。

　我主修英语，辅修法语。
　［误］ I majored English with a minor in French.
　［正］ I majored in English minor in French.
　［析］ major是不及物动词，作“主修”解时，其后多接介词in.

　［同义词］ adj. better, bigger, chief, great, important, main, most, outstanding, serious, superior
　［反义词］ adj. minor
　［词源］　拉丁语magus（较大的，较重要的，主要的）