- professor
- c.1380, from L. professor "person who professes to be an expert in some art or science, teacher of highest rank," agent noun from profitieri "lay claim to, declare openly" (see profess). As a title prefixed to a name, it dates from 1706. Short form prof is recorded from 1838. Professorial (1713) is from L.L. professorius "pertaining to a public teacher."