Physical or mental powers or abilities, like sight, hearing, or reason; or the teaching staff of a college or university department.
From Latin 'facultas,' meaning ability or power. The word originally meant 'power to do something' and expanded to include university staff who have the power/authority to teach.
A 'faculty member' is called that because they have the faculty (power and ability) to teach—the word is about their capability, which is why a whole department became known as 'the faculty.'
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