An official certificate given by a school or university showing you've completed a course of study.
From Latin 'diploma,' meaning 'folded paper' (from Greek 'diplous,' 'folded' + 'oma,' indicating a state or object). Originally referred to official government documents that were folded for protection and authenticity. The term was applied to academic certificates.
Diplomas were literally folded documents with official seals, which is why they were prestigious—folding and sealing papers was how governments authenticated important documents for centuries. Modern diplomas still echo this tradition with their formal appearance and official seals.
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