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Alma mater

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Alma Mater statue at Columbia University

Alma mater is the singular form of the Latin word for "nourishing mother". It was used in ancient Rome as a title for the mother goddess, and in Medieval Christianity for the Virgin Mary. In current days, it is most often used to refer to the university or college a person went to. However, it may also refer to the song or hymn of a college or university.[1]

The term alma mater can be traced back to eleventh-century Europe. The first known use of the term in reference to university was in 1088. The University of Bologna coined their motto “Alma Mater Studiorum,” (translated: “nourishing mother of studies”). [2]

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References

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  1. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2019). Definition of ALMA MATER. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alma+mater
  2. Golia, J. (2010). Alma Mater: Early History | Columbia University Libraries. Retrieved November 25, 2019, from https://library.columbia.edu/libraries/cuarchives/resources/almaearly.html