alma mater

alma mater

alma mater the university, school, or college that one once attended. The phrase is recorded from the mid 17th century, in the general sense ‘someone or something providing nourishment’; in Latin, literally ‘bounteous mother’, a title given to various Roman goddesses, notably Ceres and Cybele.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alma mater." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alma mater." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-almamater.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alma mater." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-almamater.html

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Alma Mater

Alma Mater XIX. — L., ‘bounteous mother’, title given by the Romans to Ceres, Cybele, and other goddesses, transf. to universities and schools as the fostering mothers of their alumni.

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T. F. HOAD. "Alma Mater." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "Alma Mater." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-AlmaMater.html

T. F. HOAD. "Alma Mater." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-AlmaMater.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

WESLEYAN SPIRIT PUT INTO WORDS COLLEGE GETS AN ALMA MATER TO BE SUNG WITH...
Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 5/18/2002
THE PARENT TRAP.(sending children to a parent's alma mater)(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Town &amp; Country; 7/1/2000
Old is new again Relive pride of Alma Mater.(Neighbor)
Newspaper article from: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); 6/22/2000

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