Erudite

adjective

Exhibiting great knowledge or learning, usually as a result from intensive scholarly studies

Usage

In a day and age where the job market is highly competitive, it seems almost mandatory to have a college degree, sometimes more than one. You are put through years of course work and studying in the hopes that you will emerge as an erudite individual. Someone who is erudite is one who exhibits great knowledge or learning in some field of study or another. Maybe you were an English major, trained in the obscure language of Shakespeare or the deeper political meanings behind the works of James Joyce; Maybe you were a Biology major, bent on building your knowledge of the human anatomy to move on to further medical education; Maybe you went to law school to learn the legal codes, pick out important details, and conduct research essential to performing in court. No matter your field of study, the experience undoubtedly left you with an erudite arsenal of information.

Even outside of our schooling, we have all seen a display of erudition at some point or another. Whether it was at an educational conference (e.g. a Ted Talk) or on television, watching the National Geographic channel or the Presidential Debate (though not always!), we have all seen erudite individuals put on a show of their educational training.

Example: The keynote speaker at the Medieval Conference was very erudite in exhibiting his knowledge on Byzantine art, describing each slide in detail without referring to notes.

Example: With a reputation as one of the top nature and culture magazines in the world, National Geographic only hires the most erudite individuals, who have been published and proven in their fields of study.

Example: After years of study and research, the scientist was finally considered an erudite member of the greater science community with his groundbreaking discovery on cancer.

Origin

The word erudite, first used in the 14th-15th centuries in late Middle English, comes from Latin origins. It takes its roots from the Latin word ērudītus meaning educated or enlightened, which can be further broken down into ē + rud meaning unformed, rough, or rude, plus the common suffix -ītus.

Derivative Words

Erudition: Erudition is the noun form of erudite, referring to the knowledge acquired by study or research.

Example: By the time Pete had attained his doctorate degree, his reports had been published in various academic journals, and so his erudition went unquestioned.

Eruditely: Eruditely is the adverbial form of erudite used to describe something that is done with great knowledge or learning.

Example: The professor exhibited his knowledge on ancient Megiddo so eruditely that it was obvious what his ancient city of specialty was.

Eruditeness: Eruditeness is another noun form of erudite, referring to something that exhibits knowledge and learning.

Example: The presentation was the epitome of eruditeness, well-researched and exhibiting the most essential facts on the main topic.

In Literature

From Herman Melville's Moby Dick:

‘But how now, Ishmael? How is it, that you, a mere oarsman in the fishery, pretend to know aught about the subterranean parts of the whale? Did erudite Stubb, mounted upon your capstan, deliver lectures on the anatomy of the Cetacea; and by help of the windlass, hold up a specimen rib for exhibition? Explain thyself, Ishmael.'

Here, the word erudite is used in a comment of disbelief at how an oarsman should be learned in the anatomy of a whale. The speaker offers a sarcastic explanation of how Ishmael, the oarsman, might have become erudite, or educated, in such matters.

Mnemonic

A mind that is bright is erudite.