σχολή
scholḗ
G4981 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of leisure or spare time—abstaining from obligatory work or employment; by extension, time or space devoted to study, reflection, or intellectual pursuit. In later usage, designates a place or group dedicated to study, discourse, or philosophical instruction (i.e., a 'school'). The primary sense is 'leisure' or 'free time,' which enables study or scholarly activity; the secondary sense is the institution or collective gathering for such purposes.
Semantic Range
leisure, spare time, time for reflection or learning, idleness, scholarly activity, group/school of learning, institution of education, philosophical academy
Root / Etymology
From the root σχολ-, related to the idea of holding back, pausing, or stopping activity (possibly connected with the alternate form of ἔχω, 'to have, to hold'). The word originally signified the state of being at ease or at leisure. Etymology ultimately uncertain but attested in early Greek.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, σχολή primarily referred to spare time, leisure, or idleness—especially as an opportunity for reflection, conversation, or self-improvement rather than labor or commerce. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the meaning expanded to include the place or community where philosophical or scholarly teaching occurred, reflecting the evolution from leisure as a condition permitting intellectual engagement to the organized institutions of education. In the New Testament and Hellenistic Jewish writings, it typically refers to a gathering for study or instruction (e.g., Paul's discussions in the σχολή of Tyrannus, Acts 19:9). The standard English translation 'school' may capture the institutional sense but obscures the original connection to leisure and learning as enabled by freedom from manual labor. Classical sources (Plato, Aristotle) emphasize σχολή as the precondition for philosophy and virtue. The English use of 'school' ultimately derives from this Greek concept but is often more structured or institutional than many ancient usages.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably feminine of a presumed derivative of the alternate of ἔχω; properly, loitering (as a withholding of oneself from work) or leisure, i.e. (by implication) a "school" (as vacation from physical employment):--school.
Root Family
σχολή (scholē) — leisure, free time, time for learning, scholarly gathering
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4981-01 |
σχολῇ | schole | N DAT F SG |
school | in leisure | school | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4981-01 |
Acts 19:9 | σχολῇ | schole | N DAT F SG |
school | in leisure | school |