The phrase "reaches majority" refers to the age at which a person becomes a legal adult. The spelling of "reaches majority" can be explained phonetically as /riːtʃɪz/ /məˈdʒɒrɪti/. The first syllable, "reaches," is pronounced with a long e sound and a voiceless ch sound, while the second syllable, "majority," is pronounced with a long o sound and a stress on the second syllable. The correct spelling of this phrase is important when discussing legal matters and age restrictions.
"Reaches majority" refers to the point of time when an individual attains the age at which they are legally recognized as an adult in a particular jurisdiction or society. This is the age at which a person is deemed to have reached full maturity and is accorded various rights and responsibilities that were previously restricted to adults.
The specific age at which an individual reaches majority can vary across different countries and legal systems. In many jurisdictions, this age is typically set at 18 years, although it can be different, either younger or older, depending on the country's laws or cultural norms. Reaching majority signifies the end of childhood and the commencement of adulthood, marking a transformative period in a person's life.
Upon reaching majority, legal rights and responsibilities may include the ability to vote, enter into contracts, marry without parental consent, sign legal documents, make medical decisions for themselves, and be held fully accountable for their actions under the law. Moreover, individuals who have reached majority are entitled to various privileges and freedoms associated with adulthood.
It is important to note that the concept of reaching majority is not solely based on age, as certain jurisdictions may have additional criteria or requirements for achieving legal adulthood, such as completing specific educational milestones or passing certain tests. Legislation regarding the age of majority may also be subject to change over time, reflecting societal shifts in perceptions of maturity and readiness for adult privileges and responsibilities.
The phrase "reaches majority" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two words that have their own individual origins.
1. Reach: The word "reach" originates from the Old English word "rǣċan" which means "to extend, stretch out, or attain". It can also be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "raikijan", meaning "to stretch out one's hand" or "to reach out". The word has remained fairly consistent in meaning throughout its history.
2. Majority: The word "majority" comes from the Latin word "major" or "maior", meaning "greater" or "larger". It can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*meg-", which also gave rise to words like "mega" and "magnus" in other languages.