Main Entry: fac·ul·ty

Pronunciation: \ˈfa-kəl-tē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural fac·ul·ties

Etymology: Middle English faculte, from Anglo-French faculté, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin facultat-, facultas branch of learning or teaching, from Latin, ability, abundance, from facilis facile

Date: 14th century

1 : ability, power: as a : innate or acquired ability to act or do b : an inherent capability, power, or function <the faculty of hearing> c : any of the powers of the mind formerly held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation of all mental phenomena d : natural aptitude <has a faculty for saying the right things>
2 a : a branch of teaching or learning in an educational institution b archaic : something in which one is trained or qualified
3 a : the members of a profession b : the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution cfaculty plural : faculty members <many faculty were present>
4 : power, authority, or prerogative given or conferred

synonyms see gift