faculty

Everyday

1. A natural ability of the body or mind, such as sight, hearing or memory. tree →
2. A group of departments in a university, such as the Faculty of Science. tree →
3. (US) All the teachers of a school or university. tree →
4. A special skill or talent for something: «a faculty for languages». tree →

In the lessons

In stories about old people it often appears as «in full possession of her faculties», meaning her mind still works well. In American schools «the faculty» means the teachers. Phrases: mental faculties, faculty of hearing, faculty members, faculty for.

Examples

• Grandpa is ninety but still has all his faculties. tree →
• The faculty of sight lets us see colours. tree →
• The faculty held a meeting about the school play. tree →
• My sister studies in the Faculty of Arts. tree →
• She has a faculty for remembering names. tree →
• Faculty and students cheered at the graduation. tree →
• Then he had a dream; for, to one with his faculties, dreaming was no difficulty. tree →

Note

Plural: faculties (y to ies). In the UK, «staff» is usual for teachers in a school; «faculty» is mostly US or university. Not linked to «factory».