Academic (adjective)
Belonging to the school or philosophy of Plato from late 16th century
“the academic sect or philosophy”
Academic (adjective)
Belonging to an academy or other higher institution of learning; also a scholarly society or organization. from late 16th century
Academic (adjective)
Theoretical or speculative; abstract; scholarly, literary or classical, in distinction to practical or vocational from late 19th century
“I have always had an academic interest in hacking.”
Academic (adjective)
Having little practical use or value, as by being overly detailed, unengaging, or theoretical: having no practical importance.
Academic (adjective)
Having a love of or aptitude for learning.
“I’m more academic than athletic — I get lower marks in phys. ed. than in anything else.”
Academic (adjective)
Conforming to set rules and traditions; conventional; formalistic. from late 19th century
Academic (adjective)
So scholarly as to be unaware of the outside world; lacking in worldliness.
Academic (adjective)
Subscribing to the architectural standards of Vitruvius.
Academic (adjective)
Study of humanities topics rather than science and engineering.
Academic (noun)
A follower of Plato, a Platonist. First attested in the mid 16th century.{{R:SOED5}}
Academic (noun)
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.
Academic (noun)
A member of the Academy; an academician. First attested in the mid 18th century.
Academic (noun)
A student in a college.
Academic (noun)
Academic dress; academicals. First attested in the early 19th century.
Academic (noun)
Academic studies. First attested in the late 20th century.
Academical (adjective)
Belonging to the school of Plato; believing in Plato’s philosophy; sceptical . First attested in the late 16th century.
Academical (adjective)
Pertaining to a university or other form of higher education. First attested in the late 16th century.
Academical (noun)
Academic dress, consisting of a cap and gown. First attested in the early 19th century.