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Dictionary Language resources

emeritus

Syllabification: (e·mer·i·tus)

Pronunciation: /iˈmerətəs/

Definition of emeritus

adjective

(of the former holder of an office, especially a college professor) having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honor:emeritus professor of microbiology [postpositive]:the gallery’s director emeritus

Origin:

mid 18th century: from Latin, past participle of emereri 'earn one's discharge by service', from e- (variant of ex-) 'out of, from' + mereri 'earn'