alma mater

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Noun 2 Latin 2.1 Noun

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

Latin for "nourishing mother." Derives from the full name ("Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna") of the oldest European university, the University of Bologna (founded in the eleventh century, in year 1088).

[edit] Noun

alma mater (plural alma maters or almae matres)

1. a school or college from which an individual has graduated or attended.
2. a school's anthem or song.

---

[edit] Latin

[edit] Noun

alma māter (genitive almae mātris); f, first declension

1. (Ancient Rome) mother goddess
2. (Medieval Christianity) Virgin Mary