school

noun

Origin

Greek

scholē — leisure or spare time

Overview

Meaning Now

An institution or setting where people receive education and training.

Literal older meaning

leisure or spare time

Language path

Greek → Latin → Old English → Modern English

Earliest form

scholē

Earliest period

Greek

Journey

School comes from Greek scholē, meaning leisure or spare time. The word moved through Latin and Old English into the institution we know today, showing how a place of learning was once described by the time available for it.

Evolution

Greek
scholē
“leisure or time for discussion”
Latin and Old English
scol / school
“a place for instruction”
Modern English
school
“an institution for teaching and learning”

Connections

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