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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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Cite this article
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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Cite this article
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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