School

Pronunciation

• US enPR: skōōl, IPA: /skuːl/, /ˈsku.É™l/
• Rhymes: -uːl, -ÊŠÉ™l

From Middle English schole ("group of persons, multitude, host, school of fish"), from Middle Dutch scole (Dutch school, "multitude, troop of people, swarm of animals"), from Old Dutch *scola, *skola ("troop, multitude"), from Proto-Germanic *skulō ("crowd"), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kʷel- ("crowd, people"). Cognate with Middle Low German schōle ("multitude, troop"), Old English scolu ("troop or band of people, host, multitude, school of fish"). More at shoal.

Alternative forms

• skull obsolete

Noun

1. A group of fish or a group of marine mammals such as porpoises, dolphins, or whales.The divers encountered a huge school of mackerel.
2. A multitude.

Synonyms

• (fish) shoal

Full definition of school

Verb

1. (of fish) To form into, or travel in a school.

From Middle English scole, from Old English scōl ("place of education"), from Proto-Germanic *skōla ("school"), from Late Latin schola, scola ("learned discussion or dissertation, lecture, school"), from Ancient Greek σχολεῖον (scholeion), from σχολή (scholē, "spare time, leisure", later, "conversations and the knowledge gained through them during free time; the places where these conversations took place"), from Proto-Indo-European *seǵhe-, *sǵhē- ("to hold, have, possess"). Cognate with Old Frisian skūle, schūle (Dutch school, "school"), Old High German scuola (German Schule, "school"), Old Norse skōli (Danish skole, "school").

Influenced in some senses by Middle English schole ("group of persons, host, company"), from Middle Dutch scole ("multitude, troop, band"). See school#Etymology_1|school

1

. Related also to Old High German sigi (German Sieg, "victory"), Old English siġe, sigor ("victory").

Noun

1. (US, Canada)  An institution dedicated to teaching and learning; an educational institution.
   Our children attend a public school in our neighborhood.
   Harvard University is a famous American postsecondary school.
2. (British)  An educational institution providing primary and secondary education, prior to tertiary education (college or university).
• 2013-07-19, Mark Tran, Denied an education by war, One particularly damaging, but often ignored, effect of conflict on education is the proliferation of attacks on schools...as children, teachers or school buildings become the targets of attacks. Parents fear sending their children to school. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.
3. Within a larger educational institution, an organizational unit, such as a department or institute, which is dedicated to a specific subject area.
   We are enrolled in the same university, but I attend the School of Economics and my brother is in the School of Music.
4. considered collectively The followers of a particular doctrine; a particular way of thinking or particular doctrine; a school of thought.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 3, Here the stripped panelling was warmly gold and the pictures, mostly of the English school, were mellow and gentle in the afternoon light.
5. These economists belong to the monetarist school.
• Jeremy TaylorLet no man be less confident in his faith ... by reason of any difference in the several schools of Christians.
6. The time during which classes are attended or in session in an educational institution.
   I'll see you after school.
7. The room or hall in English universities where the examinations for degrees and honours are held.
8. The canons, precepts, or body of opinion or practice, sanctioned by the authority of a particular class or age.He was a gentleman of the old school.
• A. S. HardyHis face pale but striking, though not handsome after the schools.

Synonyms

• (institution dedicated to teaching and learning) academy, college, university
• (organizational unity within an educational institution) college, department, further education college, institute
• (group of fish) shoal

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To educate, teach, or train (often, but not necessarily, in a school.)Many future prime ministers were schooled in Eton.
2. (transitive) To defeat emphatically, to teach an opponent a harsh lesson.
• 1998, Leigh Jones, "National bar exam methods win in ADA regulation test," , April 13,A blind law graduate who put the National Conference of Bar Examiners to the test got schooled in federal court.
• Two weeks later, the Cornhuskers put on their road whites again and promptly got schooled by miserable Iowa State in Ames. After the shocking loss ...
• 2007, Peter David and Alvin Sargent, Spider-Man 3, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 1416527214, pg. 216,"You again?" Sandman demanded. "I guess you didn't learn your lesson.""This time I'm gonna school you."
3. (transitive) To control, or compose, one's expression.She took care to school her expression, not giving away any of her feelings.

Derived terms

• schooling