What term describes a group that is less than half of a total?

The term that correctly describes a group that constitutes less than half of a total is "minority." In various contexts, particularly in social, political, and demographic discussions, a minority refers to a segment of a population that holds less than 50% of the total count. This term is often used to address groups distinguished by certain characteristics, such as ethnicity, religion, or beliefs, and is significant in discussions about rights, representation, and social dynamics.

The other terms do not apply in this context. "Majority" refers to the larger part or more than half of a total, while "half" indicates an equal division of a whole, which would represent exactly 50%. "Subset" denotes any group derived from a larger set, but it does not inherently relate to the numerical size being more or less than half. Thus, "minority" is the accurate term to describe a group that is less than 50% of the total.