rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: audire
Latin

audire

hear, listen

Forms

  • aud-
  • audit- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘heard.’

Origin

Often connected with reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *au-, ‘perceive’; the formation of the Latin verb is uncertain.

Note

Listening could imply heeding or obeying, beyond simply receiving a sound.

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verb

audit

To attend a class without receiving academic credit.

She audits an evening history class without seeking academic credit.

Etymology
auditLatinhear, listen

Latin audire means to hear. Auditing a class retains the listener’s role: the person attends to hear the teaching without taking the course for academic credit.

More examples

  • Retired residents may audit selected university courses.
  • He audited the seminar because the subject interested him.
  • Students auditing the course do not receive a final grade.

Forms

audit · audits · audited · auditing

auditor noun — Someone attending a course without earning credit.

Similar words

sit in on
Is less formal and may mean attending only one session.
enroll
Means registering, often for credit, without specifying auditor status.