ACADEMIC

academic

(adjective) hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result; “an academic discussion”; “an academic question”

academic, donnish, pedantic

(adjective) marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

academic

(adjective) associated with academia or an academy; “the academic curriculum”; “academic gowns”

academician, academic, faculty member

(noun) an educator who works at a college or university

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

academic (comparative more academic, superlative most academic)

Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato [from late 16th century]

Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; also a scholarly society or organization. [from late 16th century]

• academic courses - William Warburton

• academical study - George Berkeley

Theoretical or speculative; abstract; scholarly, literary or classical, in distinction to practical or vocational [from late 19th century]

Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical: having no practical importance.

Having a love of or aptitude for learning.

(art) Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic. [from late 19th century]

So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness.

Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.

Study of humanities topics rather than science and engineering.

Noun

academic (plural academics)

(usually, capitalized) A follower of Plato, a Platonist. [First attested in the mid 16th century.]

A senior member of an academy, college, or university; a person who attends an academy; a person engaged in scholarly pursuits; one who is academic in practice. [First attested in the late 16th century.]

A member of the Academy; an academician. [First attested in the mid 18th century.]

(archaic) A student in a college.

(pluralonly) Academic dress; academicals. [First attested in the early 19th century.]

(pluralonly) Academic studies. [First attested in the late 20th century.]

Source: Wiktionary

Ac`a*dem"ic, n.

1. One holding the philosophy of Socrates and Plato; a Platonist. Hume.

2. A member of an academy, college, or university; an academician.

Ac`a*dem"ic, Ac`a*dem"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. academicus: cf. F. académigue. See Academy.]

1. Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato; as, the Academic sect or philosophy.

2. Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; scholarly; literary or classical, in distinction from scientific. "Academic courses." Warburton. "Academical study." Berkeley.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition