Academic

What does Academic mean in American Law?

The definition of Academic in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:

When used to describe a school, or a course of study at one, the word is used to distinguish the program from a commercial or vocational program. Also used to describe a matter of no practical significance, e.g., “Since he’s now dead, it’s academic whether he is sane enough to write a new will.” Cf. abstract question.

Grammar

This term is an adjetive.

Etimology of Academic

(You may find academic at the world legal encyclopedia and the etimology of more terms).

1580s, “relating to an academy,” also “collegiate, scholarly,” from Latin academicus “of the (classical Athenian) Academy,” from Academia, name of the place where Plato taught (see academy). From 1610s in English in the sense “belonging to the classical Academy in Athens.” Meaning “theoretical, not practical, not leading to a decision” (such as university debates or classroom legal exercises) is from 1886. In the arts, “rigidly conforming to academic style,” 1889. Academic freedom “liberty of a teacher to state opinions openly without fear of retribution,” is attested from 1901. Related: Academical; academically; academicalism (1874); Johnson has academial. As a noun, “student in college or university life,” 1580s (Latin academicus, Greek akademikoi meant “Academic philosopher”). Also academian (1590s), while academician (1746) mostly was confined to members of the old societies for the promotion of sciences and arts.