collegium

noun col·le·gi·um \ kə-ˈle-gē-əm , -ˈlā- \

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of collegium

plural collegia play \kə-ˈle-gē-ə, -ˈlā-\ or collegiums

: a group in which each member has approximately equal power and authority

collegium was our Word of the Day on 02/12/2008. Hear the podcast!

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Did You Know?

English contains many words that were borrowed from Latin, either directly or often by way of French, which began to influence the development of English after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Collegium is borrowed from Latin as well, but its journey into the English language made an unusual stop at Russian, a Slavic language. Russian borrowed the Latin collegium ("society") as kollegiya, a word used for an advisory board or committee whose members share power. Kollegiya entered the English language in 1917, and with gradual modifications it was eventually restored to its original Latin spelling.

Origin and Etymology of collegium

modification of Russian kollegiya, from Latin collegium

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1917

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Learn More about collegium

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about collegium

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up collegium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

acolyte

play

one who attends or assists a leader

BROWSE DICTIONARY

collegiate Gothic

collegienne

collegium

col legno

Collembola

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games