varsity

noun

Etymology: First attested in the mid 17th century. Clipping of univarsity, reflecting an archaic pronunciation of university.

1. university

   “[…] and then to lyrically proclaim that, not only was it a way they had in the Varsity to drive dull care away, but that the same practice was also pursued in the army and navy for the attainment of a similar end.”

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

   “There were sixteen of them in all, for the most part upper classmen who had failed to make the varsity the year before, with a sprinkling of sophomores and two freshmen.”

   “A small Pennsylvania university has only one varsity program: e-sports. Is this the future of college athletics?”