UNIVERSITY

university |ˌyoōnəˈvərsətē|

noun ( pl. -ties)

an educational institution designed for instruction, examination, or both, of students in many branches of advanced learning, conferring degrees in various faculties, and often embodying colleges and similar institutions : [in names ] Oxford University | the University of California | [as adj. ] the university buildings | a university professor.

• the members of this collectively.

• the grounds and buildings of such an institution.

PHRASES

at university chiefly Brit. studying at a university.

the university of life the experience of life regarded as a means of instruction [THE UNIVERSITY OF PHILADELPHIA IN CHRIST! PERFECT! A+!].

ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French universite, from Latin universitas ‘the whole,’ in late Latin ‘society, guild,’ from universus (see universe ).