Definition of: scholar

(skol′ər) noun
1. A person eminent for learning.
2. The holder of a scholarship.
3. One who learns under a teacher; a pupil.
—Rhodes scholar A male student selected from a college or university of the United States or of any British dominion or colony, to receive one of the scholarships established by Cecil Rhodes for attendance at Oxford University, England. [Prob. fusion of OE scolere and OF escoler, both <LL scholaris <L schola. See SCHOOL¹.] Synonyms: disciple, learner, pupil, savant, student. Historically the primary sense of a scholar is one who is being schooled; thence the word passes to designate one who is apt in school work, and finally one who is thoroughly schooled, master of what the schools can teach, an erudite or accomplished person: when used without qualification, the word is generally understood in this sense; as, He is manifestly a scholar. Pupil signifies one under the close personal supervision or instruction of a teacher or tutor.