emeritus

¹emer·i·tus

noun \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

First Known Use of EMERITUS

1750

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, esquire, sire, sous

²emeritus

adjective

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>

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

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous