polytechnic

Meanings

Adjective

• that teaches applied arts, sciences, technology, engineering and other academic subjects

Noun

• An educational institute that teaches applied arts and sciences rather than academic subjects.
• An exhibition of objects illustrating many arts.
• A three-year post-secondary vocational training institute, equivalent of community college in the U.S. or TAFE in Australia.

Related

Similar words

• professional university, vocational university, university of applied sciences

Origin

• From French polytechnique, from the École polytechnique, engineering school founded 1794 in Paris; from Greek πολύτεχνος "skilled in many arts," from πολύς "many" (see poly-) + τέχνη "art" (see technic).