[fac.ul.ty] n, pl -ties [ME faculte, fr. MF faculte, fr. ML & L; ML facultat-, facultas branch of learning or teaching, fr. L, ability, abundance, fr. facilis facile] (14c) 1: ability, power: as a: innate or acquired ability to act or do b: an inherent capability, power, or function "the ~ of hearing" c: any of the powers of the mind formerly held by psychologists to form a basis for the explanation of all mental phenomena d: natural aptitude "has a ~ for saying the right things"
2. a: a branch of teaching or learning in an educational institution b archaic: something in which one is trained or qualified 3 a: the members of a profession b: the teaching and administrative staff and those members of the administration having academic rank in an educational institution c faculty pl: faculty members "many ~ were present"
4: power, authority, or prerogative given or conferred syn see gift