sophomore

Meanings

1. The second in a series, especially, the second of an artist’s albums or the second of four years in a high school (tenth grade) or university.
2. Sophomoric.

1. A second-year undergraduate student in a college or university, or a second-year student in a four-year secondary school or high school.
2. A three-year-old horse.

Etymology

From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom, sophum (“sophism or dialectical exercise”), from Ancient Greek σόφισμα (sóphisma). Likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophós, “wise”) + μωρός (mōrós, “fool”). Compare oxymoron (literally “sharp-dull”), a similar contradiction.