aegrotat

noun

ae·​gro·​tat

ē-ˈgrō-ˌtat,

ˈē-grō-

plural -s

1

British : a medical certificate testifying that a student is unable to attend lectures or examinations as a result of illness

2

British : the unclassified university degree granted to a candidate who is prevented by illness from attending examinations

Word History

Etymology

Latin, he is ill, third person singular present indicative active of aegrotare to be ill, from aegr-, aeger ill; akin to Tocharian A ekro ill, Tocharian B aikre, aikare, and perhaps to Old English ācol dismayed, Norwegian eikja, eikla to plague, pester, Albanian kë-ék evil, and perhaps to Old English inca suspicion, doubt, quarrel

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!