Main Entry: acad·e·my

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈka-də-mē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural acad·e·mies

Etymology: Latin academia, from Greek Akadēmeia, from Akadēmeia, gymnasium where Plato taught, from Akadēmos Attic mythological hero

Date: 1549

1 a : a school usually above the elementary level; especially : a private high school b : a high school or college in which special subjects or skills are taught c : higher education —used with the <the functions of the academy in modern society>
2 capitalized a : the school for advanced education founded by Plato b : the philosophical doctrines associated with Plato's Academy
3 : a society of learned persons organized to advance art, science, or literature
4 : a body of established opinion widely accepted as authoritative in a particular field