English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English collegian, from Medieval Latin collēgiānus.

Noun edit

collegian (plural collegians)

  1. A student (or a former student) of a college
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Anticipation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, page 42:
      She then remembered that her own early bearing towards him had been haughty, and indifferent; that she had sneered at the young collegian's shyness; and now thought with "the late remorse of love," how unlike to this had been Ethel's gentle kindness.
  2. (slang) An inmate of a prison.
    • 1855 December – 1857 June, Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, London: Bradbury and Evans, [], published 1857, →OCLC:
      While it [the wind] roared through the steeple of St George’s Church, and twirled all the cowls in the neighbourhood, it made a swoop to beat the Southwark smoke into the jail; and, plunging down the chimneys of the few early collegians who were yet lighting their fires, half suffocated them.

Translations edit

Adjective edit

collegian (comparative more collegian, superlative most collegian)

  1. Of or relating to a college or its students.
    Antonym: uncollegian

Anagrams edit

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Medieval Latin collēgiānus; equivalent to college +‎ -ien.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /kɔˌlɛːd͡ʒiˈaːn/, /kɔˈlɛːd͡ʒi.an/

Noun edit

collegian (plural collegians)

  1. (rare) One who is part of a college (ecclesiastical or educational).

Descendants edit

  • English: collegian

References edit