First Known Use: 1912
Dictionary
Phi Beta Kappa
noun Phi Be·ta Kap·pa \ˌfī-ˌbā-tə-ˈka-pə\
: a special society for students who do excellent academic work at a college or university in the U.S.
: a person who is a member of Phi Beta Kappa
Full Definition of PHI BETA KAPPA
: a person winning high scholastic distinction in an American college or university and being elected to membership in a national honor society founded in 1776
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Origin of PHI BETA KAPPA
Phi Beta Kappa (Society), from phi + beta + kappa, initials of the society's Greek motto philosophia biou kybernētēs philosophy the guide of life
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