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Emeritus

For the Scarface album, see Emeritus (album). For the eldercare company, see Emeritus Senior Living.

Emeritus (/əˈmɛrɪtəs/; female version: emerita)[Note 1] is an honorary title that people can use when they have retired from certain important jobs. For example, when a professor at a university retires, they can use the title "professor emeritus".[1]

The rules for using the title are different in some situations. Sometimes, people who retire from a certain job are automatically allowed to use the title. But in other cases, only some people are selected to use the title after they retire. The title is sometimes used for people who retire from their working life, and in other cases for people who finish working in a certain position (like some Ministers). Some people with the title emeritus still have some duties of their former job; for example, emeritus professors can sometimes still teach and supervise students.[2]

Etymology

The word 'emeritus' comes from the Latin verb emerere, which means 'to complete one's service'. Emerere is a compound of the Latin prefix e- (variant of ex-) meaning 'out of, from' and merere (source of 'merit') meaning 'to serve, earn'. Since the early 17th century, people have used the word 'emeritus' to mean 'a solder who has served his time'. Over time, people have started using the words for other jobs than only soldiers.

In some languages, the word 'emeritus' is only used for men, and the word emerita (/ɪˈmɛrɪtə/) is used for women, but in English the word emeritus is often used for people of any gender.[3]

In academia

A tenured full professor who retires from a college or university can sometimes use the title "professor emeritus" (or "emeritus professor").[4] The title "professor emerita" is sometimes used for women. In most colleges and universities, all professors who retire can use the title, but sometimes it needs a special act or vote.[5] A professor emeritus can sometimes still keep doing parts of their job, and may still have an office at the university.[2]

Other uses

The title is aso used in some religions. When a diocesan bishop or auxiliary bishop retires, the word emeritus is added to their former title, like "Archbishop Emeritus of ...".[6] There can be more than one "Bishop Emeritus" of a particular diocese, if they live long enough. When Pope Benedict XVI retired, he was called Pope Emeritus.[7] In Judaism, a long-serving rabbi can also be given the title rabbi emeritus.[8]

The term is sometimes used in politics in the United States. A senator of the minority party who has previously served as president pro tempore of the United States Senate is called president pro tempore emeritus.[9][10] And when Nancy Pelosi retired from 20 years as Speaker of the House, the House Steering and Policy Committee voted to give her the title of Speaker Emerita.[11]

Some businesses and nonprofit organizations can also use the term emeritus when they want to make it clear that someone has had a very important role in the organization. For example, Phil Knight is the co-founder of Nike, and after decades of being the CEO, he is now called chairman emeritus of the company.[12]

The Cabinet of Singapore also uses the term in some cases. When Senior Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong retired in 2011, he received the title of Emeritus Senior Minister.[13]

Related pages

Notes

  1. ↑ feminine emerita or emeritus; plural emeriti (masc.) or emeritae (fem.); abbreviation emer.

References

  1. ↑ "emeritus | adjective", Merriam-Webster, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-07.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 UCL. Emeritus Professors guidance and procedure (in en). UCL Human Resources. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
  3. ↑ Harper, Douglas. emeritus. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ↑ Descriptions: Professors Emeriti, Research Professor. FAS Appointment and Promotion Handbook. Retrieved 2022-10-13.[dead link]
  5. ↑ University of Hertfordshire: Professorships – V07.0 UPR HR08. UH Policies and Proceedures. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  6. ↑ Staff, Denver Catholic. What Happens When a Roman Catholic Bishop or Archbishop Retires? (in en). Denver Catholic (2025-06-03). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
  7. ↑ Stanford, Peter (2022-12-31). "Pope Benedict XVI obituary" (in en-GB). The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077 . https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/31/pope-benedict-obituary. Retrieved 2026-07-06. 
  8. ↑ When A Retired Rabbi Is The Elephant In The Synagogue (in en). The Forward (2018-12-18). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
  9. ↑ Lesniewski, Niels. Leahy: 'Kind of Petty' Not to Fund Emeritus Office in 'Cromnibus' (in en-US). Roll Call (2014-12-10). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
  10. ↑ Davis, Christopher M.. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate: History and Authority of the Office. crsreports.congress.gov (2015-09-16). Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  11. ↑ Alvord, Kyle. House Democrats Give Outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi a New Title to Honor Her 20 Years of Leadership. People Magazine (November 30, 2022). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ Nike co-founder Phil Knight retires from board (in en). apnews.com (2016-06-30). Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  13. ↑ Mr GOH Chok Tong (in en). Prime Minister's Office Singapore. Retrieved 2026-07-06.

Sources

  • "Emeritus", New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd edition), 2005.
  • "Emeritus", Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary (3rd edition), 1997.
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