phrase
Latin
Alma Mater
lit. “nourishing mother”
The school, college, or university where someone studied.
Origin
In ancient Rome 'alma mater' was an epithet for the goddess Ceres (and sometimes Cybele) — a mother figure who feeds her children. Medieval universities adopted the phrase for themselves, and the modern English usage is unbroken from at least the 17th century. Many US universities have an official song called the 'Alma Mater.'
Modern usage
Used in CVs, alumni speeches, and casual self-introductions ('my alma mater is Yale'). Now also applied loosely to any formative institution — 'this company is basically my alma mater.'
In the wild
She donated a wing to her alma mater.— common usage
Tags
education
university