/kol"ij/ , n.
1. an institution of higher learning, esp. one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training. Cf. university .
2. a constituent unit of a university, furnishing courses of instruction in the liberal arts and sciences, usually leading to a bachelor's degree.
3. an institution for vocational, technical, or professional instruction, as in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, or music, often a part of a university.
4. an endowed, self-governing association of scholars incorporated within a university, as at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge in England.
5. a similar corporation outside a university.
6. the building or buildings occupied by an institution of higher education.
7. the administrators, faculty, and students of a college.
8. (in Britain and Canada) a private secondary school.
9. an organized association of persons having certain powers and rights, and performing certain duties or engaged in a particular pursuit: The electoral college formally selects the president.
10. a company; assemblage.
11. Also called collegium . a body of clergy living together on a foundation for religious service or similar activity.
12. Brit. Slang. a prison.
[ 1350-1400; ME collegium, equiv. to col- COL- 1 + leg-, var. s. of legere to gather + -ium -IUM; cf. COLLEAGUE ]