alma mater

Where does the word "alma mater" come from? It comes from Latin alma mater, and was adopted directly into English (1700s).

Alma mater’s story begins in Latin: alma mater meant “nourishing mother.” Nourishing mother, from almus (nourishing) and mater (mother). It reached English by 1700s as alma mater. Latin 'nourishing mother', once a title of goddesses such as Ceres and the Virgin Mary; Bologna's university motto calls itself 'alma mater studiorum'. Today, alma mater means the school, college, or university one previously attended.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient alma mater "nourishing mother", nourishing mother, from almus (nourishing) and mater (mother).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1700s alma mater "one's former school, college, or university", Latin 'nourishing mother', once a title of goddesses such as Ceres and the Virgin Mary; Bologna's university motto calls itself 'alma mater studiorum'.