Sophomore

//ˈsɑfmɔɹ// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    The second in a series, especially, the second of an artist’s albums or the second of four years in a high school (tenth grade) or university. US, not-comparable

    "The band’s sophomore album built upon the success of their debut release, catapulting them to megastardom."

  2. 2
    Sophomoric. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    used of the second year in United States high school or college wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A second-year undergraduate student in a college or university, or a second-year student in a four-year secondary school or high school. Philippines, US

    "She was very mature for a sophomore and had several friends who were juniors or even seniors."

  2. 2
    a second-year undergraduate wordnet
  3. 3
    A three-year-old horse. US

    "The filly had looked promising as a sophomore, but concerns over her health had prompted the owner to pull her from the season’s early races."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom, sophum (“sophism or dialectical exercise”), from Ancient Greek σόφισμα (sóphisma). Likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophós, “wise”) + μωρός (mōrós, “fool”). Compare oxymoron (literally “sharp-dull”), a similar contradiction.

Etymology 2

From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom, sophum (“sophism or dialectical exercise”), from Ancient Greek σόφισμα (sóphisma). Likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophós, “wise”) + μωρός (mōrós, “fool”). Compare oxymoron (literally “sharp-dull”), a similar contradiction.

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