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emeritus

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The definition of emeritus is someone who once held a position or office and who, although not required, is allowed to keep his title.

(adjective)

An example of emeritus is a professor of mathematics who retired but who gets to keep his title as a professor. He would be called an Emeritus Professor.

See emeritus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

retired from active service, usually for age, but retaining one's rank or title: professor emeritus

Origin: L, pp. of emereri, to serve out one's time < e-, out + mereri, to serve, earn, merit

noun pl. emeriti

a person with such status

See emeritus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Retired but retaining an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement: a professor emeritus.

noun pl. e·mer·i·ti (-tīˌ)

One who is retired but retains an honorary title corresponding to that held immediately before retirement.

Origin:

Origin: Latin ēmeritus

Origin: , past participle of ēmerērī, to earn by service

Origin: : ē-, ex-, from; see ex-

Origin: + merērī, to deserve, earn; see (s)mer-² in Indo-European roots

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