Faculty

Definition

Faculty refers to an inherent mental or physical power, or to a division or group of academic staff in a learning institution.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfækəlti/
• Respelling: FAK-uhl-tee (with "FAK" as in "fact," "uhl" as in "puzzle," and "tee" as in "see")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfækəlti/
• Respelling: FAK-uhl-tee (with "FAK" as in "fact," "uhl" as in "puzzle," and "tee" as in "see")

In both dialects, "faculty" places the primary stress on the first syllable, "FAK." The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "FAK-uhl-tee."

Etymology

The word "faculty" originates from the Latin word facultas, meaning "ability, power, or opportunity," which comes from facilis ("easy, able"). This term was adopted into Old French as faculté and then into Middle English as faculte, where it initially referred to an ability or skill before expanding to include academic contexts.nd.

Derivatives

• Facultative (adjective)
• Faculties (noun, plural)
• Faculty member (noun)
• Subfaculty (noun)
• Faculty-wise (adverb, rare)

Synonyms

• Ability
• Department
• Skill

Antonyms

• Incapacity
• Inability
• Disability

Usage

"Faculty" is most commonly used in academic settings to refer to the teaching staff of a university or college, as well as the departments within those institutions. It can also be used more broadly to describe any natural ability or power.

Related Terms

• Institution: A large organization or establishment dedicated to a particular purpose, often educational.
• Professorship: The position or office of a professor.
• Talent: A natural aptitude or skill.

Detailed Definition

Noun

• University or College Staff: Refers to the collective group of educators, including professors, lecturers, and researchers, who are responsible for teaching and academic duties at a university or college.
  • Example: The faculty at Harvard University includes many renowned scholars and researchers.

• Department or Division: Refers to a specific department within a university, such as the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, or Faculty of Law.
  • Example: She was admitted to the Faculty of Medicine to pursue her medical degree.

• Mental or Physical Capability: Refers to an inherent ability or power, such as the faculty of speech, the faculty of reasoning, or the faculty of sight.
  • Example: Even in old age, he retained all his mental faculties.

• Special Aptitude or Skill: Describes a particular talent or skill that someone possesses naturally or has developed.
  • Example: She has a remarkable faculty for learning new languages.