alumnus
Definitions
A former student or graduate of a particular school, college, or university.
（学校、大学的）毕业生，校友（尤指男性）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin alere (to nourish, rear) — an alumnus is literally 'one who was nourished,' someone a school fed and raised. The -us is the Latin masculine singular ending.
Root alesc still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
The word keeps its full set of Latin endings, which trips people up: alumnus (one male), alumni (males or a mixed group), alumna (one female), alumnae (females). In casual American English many just say 'alum' (singular) and 'alums' (plural) to dodge the gender and number rules entirely.
Usage Guide
Pronunciation and number traps: alumni ends in '-nye' (uh-LUM-nye), alumnae often '-nee.' Use alumni for any mixed group of graduates. 'Alum' is informal but increasingly standard. Never use 'alumni' for a single person.
Example Sentences
- 1.
As a proud alumnus, he donates to the university every year.
- 2.
She is a distinguished alumnus of the law school.