faculty
n.-
1 natural ability (n.) C1 Advanced Formala natural power or ability of your mind or body, such as the ability to see, hear, or think clearly.
an inherent mental or physical power or capability. Often used in the plural to refer to one's cognitive or sensory functions.
ExampleEven at the age of ninety, he still had all his mental faculties.
ExampleThe patient's physical faculties remained intact, though his cognitive processing had slowed significantly following the incident.
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2 university department (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sciencea large department in a university that focuses on one area of study, like the Faculty of Law.
a primary division or department within a university or college, typically organised by subject area.
ExampleShe is a professor in the Faculty of Science.
ExampleThe Faculty of Arts and Humanities recently received a substantial grant to digitise its historical archives.
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3 academic staff (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate American Englishthe group of teachers and researchers who work at a college or university.
the collective body of academic staff, including professors and researchers, at an educational institution.
ExampleThe university faculty voted to change the exam schedule.
ExampleThe dean met with the faculty to discuss the proposed changes to the undergraduate curriculum for the upcoming academic year.
UsageIn American English, 'faculty' refers to the people; in British English, it more commonly refers to the department.
Teacher's tipLearners should note that in the US, 'faculty' is often treated as a collective noun that can take a singular or plural verb.
From Middle English faculte (“power, property”), from Old French faculte, from Latin facultas (“capability, ability, skill, abundance, plenty, stock, goods, property; in Medieval Latin also a body of teachers”), another form of facilitas (“easiness, facility, etc.”), from facul, another form of facilis (“easy, facile”); see facile. Doublet of facility.