The quality or state of working together as equals, where all members have a voice and share responsibility.
From collegial + -ity (a suffix that turns adjectives into nouns). Collegial itself derives from Latin collegium, meaning a group of colleagues or associates. The concept emphasizes mutual respect among peers rather than hierarchy.
Universities use this word constantly—it's the idea that professors treat each other as equals regardless of rank. But here's the paradox: most universities claim to value collegiality while still having strict hierarchies that contradict it!
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