oppidan
/ˈɒpɪdən/
adjective
Origin
Latin
oppidum — town, fortified settlement
Overview
Meaning Now
- Relating to a town or city, especially in contrast to the countryside.
- A student at Eton College who lives in a town house rather than in the college boarding houses.
Literal older meaning
of or belonging to a town
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
oppidanus
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term is most famously associated with Eton College, where it distinguishes students residing in town-based boarding houses from 'collegers' who live within the historic college foundations.
Evolution
- Latin
oppidum
“a fortified town”
- Late Latin
oppidanus
“pertaining to a town”
- Middle English
oppidan
“town-dweller”
Initially used to describe town inhabitants as distinct from university or college members.
- Modern English
oppidan
“town-based; student at Eton living in town”
Connections
Word parts
oppid-
root
town
-an
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
Latin
oppidum
town
Explore next
Related to oppidan
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.