varsity

Etymology
Mid 17th century. , reflecting an archaic pronunciation of.

Noun

 * 1)  university
 * 2)  The principal sports team representing an institution (usually a high school, college, or university.)
 * 1)  The principal sports team representing an institution (usually a high school, college, or university.)

Usage notes

 * Used attributively in the UK to describe a sports team representing a university or college, or a match involving such a team (in normal usage only applying to one of the older universities, and considered somewhat dated even then).
 * Used attributively in the U.S. and Canada to describe a sports team made up of older high school or college students (generally the 3rd and 4th years of a 4-year program), as contrasted with the junior varsity team made up of 1st- and 2nd-year students.
 * Used synonymously to "university" in South Africa.

Translations

 * German: Unimannschaft, Universitätsmannschaft