A "quorum" refers to the minimum number of members required to be present in a meeting or assembly to conduct official business. This ensures that decisions made are representative and legitimate, reflecting the will of a sufficient portion of the group.
The word "quorum" originates from the Latin word "quorum," which is the genitive plural of "qui," meaning "who." It was originally used in the context of legal documents in England to refer to the number of judges required to make a decision.