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Where does the word "alumnus" come from? It comes from Latin alumnus, and was adopted directly into English (1690s).
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Where does the word "alumnus" come from? It comes from Latin alumnus, and was adopted directly into English (1690s).
Alumnus’s story begins in Latin: alumnus meant “foster child, pupil.” From 'alere', to nourish; the same root as 'alimony' and 'alma mater'. It reached English by 1690s as alumnus. American colleges popularized it for graduates. Today, alumnus means a former student of a school or university.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient alumnus "foster child, pupil", from 'alere', to nourish; the same root as 'alimony' and 'alma mater'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1690s alumnus "a former student", American colleges popularized it for graduates.