Minority
Numerical or structural — not always the same.
How We Say It
mi·nor·i·tee
Where It Comes From
Latin minoritas — lesser number. From minor — smaller, lesser. Originally strictly mathematical — the smaller of two quantities. Applied to people and groups, the word carries the mathematical sense but also implies reduced power and rights.
How It's Been Used
Numerical minority and structural minority are not the same — women are a numerical majority in most societies but have historically held minority power. 'Minority rights' in constitutional law protects the smaller group from the larger; 'minority community' in social usage refers to groups marginalized by race, ethnicity, or identity.