emeritus

[ ih-mer-i-tuh s ]
/ ɪˈmɛr ɪ təs /

adjective

retired or honorably discharged from active professional duty, but retaining the title of one's office or position: dean emeritus of the graduate school; editor in chief emeritus.

noun, plural e·mer·i·ti [ih-mer-i-tahy, -tee] /ɪˈmɛr ɪˌtaɪ, -ˌti/.

an emeritus professor, minister, etc.

Origin of emeritus

1785–95; < Latin ēmeritus having fully earned (past participle of ēmerēre), equivalent to ē- e-1 + meri- earn + -tus past participle suffix

Example sentences from the Web for emeritus

British Dictionary definitions for emeritus

emeritus
/ (ɪˈmɛrɪtəs) /

adjective

(usually postpositive) retired or honourably discharged from full-time work, but retaining one's title on an honorary basis a professor emeritus

Word Origin for emeritus

C19: from Latin, from merēre to deserve; see merit