All Topics  
Emeritus

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Emeritus
 
 
  Topics Emeritus Topic Home

Emeritus is an adjective
Adjective

In grammar, an adjective is a word whose main syntax role is to grammatical modifier a noun or pronoun, giving more information about the noun or pronoun's definition....
 that is used in the title of a retired professor
Professor

The meaning of the word professor varies. In some English-speaking countries, it refers to a senior academic who holds a departmental chair, especially as head of the Academic department, or a personal chair awarded specifically to that individual....
, bishop
Bishop

A bishop is an ordination or consecration member of the Clergy#Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight....
 or other professional. Emerita was used for women, but is rarely used today. The term is used when a person of importance in a given profession retires, so that his or her former rank can still be used in his or her title. This is particularly useful when establishing the authority of a person who might have to comment, lecture or write on a particular subject.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Emeritus'
Start a new discussion about 'Emeritus'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Emeritus is an adjective
Adjective

In grammar, an adjective is a word whose main syntax role is to grammatical modifier a noun or pronoun, giving more information about the noun or pronoun's definition....
 that is used in the title of a retired professor
Professor

The meaning of the word professor varies. In some English-speaking countries, it refers to a senior academic who holds a departmental chair, especially as head of the Academic department, or a personal chair awarded specifically to that individual....
, bishop
Bishop

A bishop is an ordination or consecration member of the Clergy#Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight....
 or other professional. Emerita was used for women, but is rarely used today. The term is used when a person of importance in a given profession retires, so that his or her former rank can still be used in his or her title. This is particularly useful when establishing the authority of a person who might have to comment, lecture or write on a particular subject. The word is typically used as a postpositional adjective but can also be used as a preposition adjective. It is frequently capitalized when it forms part of a title. The word originated in the mid-18th century from Latin
Latin

Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe....
 as the past participle of emereri meaning to "earn one's discharge by service". Emereri itself is a compound of the prefix e- (a variant of ex-) meaning "out of or from" and merere meaning "earn".

Emeritus does not imply that the person must be retired from all duties of his or her previous title, nor does it imply that the person is engaged in the duties of his or her previous title.

See also

  • Professors in the United States
    Professors in the United States

    In the United States, the term professor refers to a group of educators at the higher education. In colloquial language, usage of the term may refer to any educator at the post-secondary level, yet a considerable percentage of post-secondary educators are hired as lecturers or instructors, not as professors....
  • President pro tempore emeritus of the United States Senate
    President pro tempore of the United States Senate

    The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate and the highest-ranking senator. The United States Constitution states the Vice President of the United States serves ex officio as President of the Senate, and is the highest-ranking official of the Senate even though he or she only votes in the cas...