The word of the day is "quorum," defined as the minimum number of people required for a meeting to make official decisions. It can also refer more generally to any select group. For example, a meeting might require fifteen staff members to be present to proceed. In Jewish law, a minyan, a quorum of ten Jewish adults, is needed for communal prayers. The word "quorum" originates from the Latin "quorum," meaning "of whom." Historically, it referred to the number of justices of the peace necessary to hear a case. Today, its primary use is about meeting attendance to conduct business. The word can be pluralized as "quorums" or "quora." The U.S. House of Representatives requires 218 members for a formal meeting, which constitutes a quorum.