Professor
/prəˈfɛsər/noun
A teacher of the highest rank at a college or university.
Did you know?The word began in Latin as a religious and public act of making a vow or declaration, so a professor was originally someone who “professed” belief before it became an academic title.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to speak, say, tell”
Latin
Latin
fateri
“to confess, admit, acknowledge”
Latin
Latin
professus
“having declared publicly, avowed”
Old French
Old French
profesour
“one who makes a public declaration; teacher”
Middle English
English
professour
“one who professes a religion or art; teacher”
Modern English
English
professor
“a university teacher of high rank”