academic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result

   an academic discussion

2. 2
   adj

   associated with academia or an academy

   the academic curriculum

3. 3
   adj

   Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato.

   the academic sect or philosophy

4. 4
   adj

   Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning, or a scholarly society or organization.

   But unhappily, by too short a view of things, you have been apt to mistake the completion of your academic courses for the completion of your theologic studies: and then, by a false modesty, have despaired of knowing more than you would suffer those august places of your education to teach you.

5. 5
   adj

   In particular: relating to literary, classical, or artistic studies like the humanities, rather than to technical or vocational studies like engineering or welding.

   Programs of work should provide students the opportunities to demonstrate both academic and vocational competence attainment.

6. 6
   adj

   Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed and unengaging, or by being theoretical and speculative with no practical importance.

   I have always had an academic interest in hacking.

7. 7
   adj

   Having a love of or aptitude for learning.

   I’m more academic than athletic — I get lower marks in phys. ed. than in anything else.

8. 8
   noun

   A senior member of an academy, college, or university; a person who attends an academy; a person engaged in scholarly pursuits; one who is academic in practice.

   Academics[…]see integrated systems for collecting, processing and acting on data as offering a “second electrification” to the world’s metropolises.

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek Ἀκάδημος (Akádēmos) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-i-eh₂ Proto-Hellenic *-íā Ancient Greek -ία (-ía) Ancient Greek Ἀκαδημία (Akadēmía) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek Ἀκάδημος (Akádēmos) Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-ēs Ancient Greek -ης (-ēs) Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ih₂der. Ancient Greek -ῐᾰ (-ĭă) Ancient Greek -εια (-eia) Ancient Greek Ἀκαδήμεια (Akadḗmeia) ▲ Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek ἀκαδημικός (akadēmikó…