Dictionary
1emeritus
noun emer·i·tus \i-ˈmer-ə-təs\
plural emer·i·ti\-ə-ˌtī, -ˌtē\
Definition of EMERITUS
: one retired from professional life but permitted to retain as an honorary title the rank of the last office held
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First Known Use of EMERITUS
1750
2emeritus
adjective
: retired with an honorary title from an office or position especially in a university
Full Definition of EMERITUS
1
: holding after retirement an honorary title corresponding to that held last during active service
2
: retired from an office or position <professor emeritus> —converted to emeriti after a plural <professors emeriti>
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Origin of EMERITUS
Latin, past participle of emereri to serve out one's term, from e- + mereri, merēre to earn, deserve, serve — more at merit
First Known Use: 1794
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