Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MA'JOR, n.¹

1. In military affairs, an officer next in rank above a captain and below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
2. The mayor of a town. [See Mayor.] Aid-major, an officer appointed to act as major on certain occasions. Brigade-major. [See Brigade.] Drum-major, the first drummer in a regiment, who has authority over the other drummers. Fife-major, the first or chief fifer. Sergeant-major, a non-commissioned officer, subordinate to the adjutant.