QUORUM

quorum

(noun) a gathering of the minimal number of members of an organization to conduct business

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

quorum (plural quorums or quora)

The minimum number of members required for a group to officially conduct business and to cast votes, often but not necessarily a majority or supermajority.

A selected body of persons.

Usage notes

The plural quora is sometimes objected to on the grounds that it is not grammatically correct: in Latin quorum is a plural pronoun, not a singular noun.

Source: Wiktionary

Quo"rum, n. Etym: [L., of whom, gen. pl. of qui who, akin to E. who. See the Note below.]

Definition: Such a number of the officers or members of any body as is competent by law or constitution to transact business; as, a quorum of the House of Representatives; a constitutional quorum was not present.

Note: The term arose from the Latin words, Quorum aliquem vestrum . . . unum esse volumus (of whom we wish some one of you to be one), which were used in the commission formerly issued to justices of the peace in England, by which commission it was directed that no business of certain kinds should be done without the presence of one or more of certain justices specially designated. Justice of the peace and of the quorum designates a class of justices of the peace in some of the United States.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition