prəˈfesə(r), prōˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin, one that professes Christianity, from Latin, public teacher, teacher, from professus (past participle of profitērī to profess, confess, declare publicly, be a teacher) + -or — more at profess
1.
a. : one who professes, avows, or declares
b. chiefly dialect : one who professes the Christian religion openly or conspicuously and ardently
2.
a. : a faculty member of the highest academic rank at an institution of higher education usually dividing his time between scholarship and lecturing and teaching mainly advanced students — often used as an academic title with of
professor of ancient history
b. : a teacher at a university, college, or secondary school : pedagogue
c. : one who teaches or professes special knowledge of an art, sport, or occupation requiring skill
a professor of the machine
the artist was the unchallenged professor of his art — W.A.Martin
d. : one who is conspicuous for being quiet and overly serious : one who is bookish