I. ə̇ˈmerəd.əs, ēˈ-, -rətəs adjective
Etymology: Latin, past participle of emerēre to obtain by service, to complete one's term, from e- + merēre to earn, serve one's time
— more at merit
1. : holding after retirement (as from professional or academic office) an honorary title corresponding to that held last during active service
he is emeritus professor of English at a women's college
a red-faced emeritus cook
2. : retired from an office or position especially after gaining public or professional recognition
an emeritus dramatic critic — New York Times Book Review
— often used postpositively
professor emeritus
and sometimes converted to emeriti after a plural substantive
professors emeriti
II. noun
( plural emeri·ti -rəˌtī, -ˌtē)
: one retired from professional life but permitted to hold the rank of his last office as an honorary title
joining the ranks of the emeriti — W.W.Sweet