Syllabus Definition
sĭlə-bəs
syllabi, syllabuses
noun
syllabuses
A summary or outline, esp. of a course of study.
Webster's New World
Brief notes preceding and explaining the decision or points of law in the written report of an adjudged case.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- programme
- curriculum
- program
- course of study
- summary
- statement
- compendium
- abstract
- outline
- digest
- synopsis
- plan
- course plan
- prospectus
- bill
Origin of Syllabus
From Late Latin syllabus (“list"), a misreading of sittybis or sillybis (ablative plural) in a 1470s edition of Cicero's "Ad Atticum" iv.5 and 8. This misprint of sittybis or sillybis as syllabis was later wrongly related to the Greek noun συλλαβή "syllabe", but is actually from Ancient Greek σιττύβα (sittyba, “parchment label, table of contents") of unknown origin.
From Wiktionary
Medieval Latin probably alteration (influenced by Greek sullambanein to put together) of Latin sillybus parchment label from Greek sillubos
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Related Articles
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to syllabus using the buttons below.