The word “scholar” comes from the Old English scolere, which was borrowed from the Latin scholaris. The Latin word scholaris means “of a school” or “school-related,” and it derives from schola, meaning “school.” Schola, in turn, originally meant “leisure” or “free time” in Greek (scholē), as the ancient Greeks considered learning an activity for those who had the luxury of time. Over time, the meaning of “scholar” evolved to refer to someone who is dedicated to study or learning, particularly in an academic setting.