Oxbridge

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. The two ancient English universities of Oxford and Cambridge considered together as a pair ; the privileged academic and social culture linked with graduates of those institutions
2. Referring jointly to Oxford and Cambridge universities ; the distinctive elite tradition, prestige and networks associated with them
3. The combined pair of historic universities in Oxford and Cambridge ; the exclusive establishment atmosphere and social standing tied to attending them

Etymology: "Oxbridge" is a blend of "Oxford" and "Cambridge", the two ancient English universities that are often named together as a pair. The blend takes the opening of one name and the ending of the other, so the result sounds like a single place, much as the two institutions are treated as a single system in British education and public life. The word works as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun it refers to the two universities collectively, or to the people who attended them; as an adjective it describes things associated with them, such as an "Oxbridge accent" or an Oxbridge education.