from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sophomore \Soph"o*more\, n. [Probably fr. soph or sophister +
Gr. ? foolish. The word was probably introduced into the
United States at an early date, from the University of
Cambridge, England. Among the cant terms at that university,
as given in the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam, we find Soph-Mor as
"the next distinctive appellation to Freshman," but the term
has now almost ceased to be known at the English university
from whence it came.]
One belonging to the second of the four classes in an
American college, or one next above a freshman. [Formerly
written also {sophimore}.]
[1913 Webster] Sophomoric