professor
/prəˈfɛsə/
noun
Origin
Latin
profiteri — to declare publicly, avow
Overview
Meaning Now
- A teacher of the highest academic rank in a university or college.
- Someone who professes or makes a public declaration of belief.
Literal older meaning
one who declares or avows
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
professour
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term originally referred to anyone who 'professed' a subject or faith. It became restricted to the academic title in the mid-16th century as universities solidified formal rankings.
Evolution
- Latin
professor
“a public teacher or declarer”
- Old French
professeur
“one who makes a profession of faith”
- Middle English
professour
“a teacher or one who professes”
Connections
Word parts
pro-
prefix
before or forth
fess
root
to speak or acknowledge
-or
suffix
agent suffix
Related across languages
French
professeur
teacher
Spanish
profesor
teacher
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Related to professor
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.