professor
English meaning: Professor
Definition
The most senior rank for an academic at a university or similar institution, informally also known as "full professor." Abbreviated Prof.
Example
“The professor handed back our essays at the end of the seminar.”
Another example: “Professor Lin gave a fascinating lecture on ancient history.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A respectful noun for a senior university teacher; in the US it is widely used for any college instructor, while in the UK and much of Europe it denotes only the highest academic rank. Capitalise and abbreviate as 'Prof.' before a name.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'professor' (one who professes or declares publicly), from 'profiteri' (to declare openly); the academic-teacher sense dates to the 14th century.
Related Words
- emeritus
- professorship
- zoology
- psychiatry
- biochemistry
- botany
- adjunct
- sociology
- anthropology
- pathology
Common Collocations
- university professor
- visiting professor
- associate professor
- professor emeritus
- my professor
- full professor
Word Forms
professor (sing.); professors (pl.); professorial (adj); professorship (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B