emerita

[ih-mer-i-tuh]

adjective

1. (of a woman) retired or honorably discharged from active professional duty, but retaining the title of one's office or position.

   Kate Johnson, Professor Emerita of Music.

noun

plural

emeritae 

1. a woman with such status.

Word History and Origins

Origin of emerita¹

< Latin, feminine of ēmeritus emeritus

Example Sentences

“Using scientific evidence to assess the safety and effectiveness of any intervention on a population level is the foundational role of public health,” said Elizabeth Jacobs, an epidemiologist, University of Arizona professor emerita and a founding member of the public health advocacy group Defend Public Health.

From Los Angeles Times

More recently, on June 14, 2025, Melissa Hortman, speaker emerita of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was shot and killed at her home, along with her husband and their golden retriever.

From Salon

Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed by the same attacker who shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and attempted to shoot their daughter Hope.

From Los Angeles Times

Boelter, 57, has been charged with killing Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, last Saturday.

From BBC

Walz said House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband were killed.

From BBC

Related Words

• elderly 
• resigned