Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
ACADEMIC
I. noun
Date: 1587
a member of an institution of learning, a person who is academic in background, outlook, or methods, academic subjects ,
II. adjective also academical
Date: 1588
1. of, relating to, or associated with an academy or school especially of higher learning, of or relating to performance in academic courses , very learned but inexperienced in practical matters , based on formal study especially at an institution of higher learning, of or relating to literary or artistic rather than technical or professional studies,
3. theoretical , speculative , having no practical or useful significance, conforming to the traditions or rules of a school (as of literature or art) or an official academy ; conventional , academically adverb