Brewer's: Senior Optime

(3 syl.) A Cambridge University expression meaning one of the second-class in the mathematical tripos. The first class consists of Wranglers.

In the University of Cambridge every branch is divided into three classes, and the three classes are called a tripos. In the mathematical tripos, those of the first class are called wranglers, those of the second class are senior optimes (3 syl.), and those of the third class junior optimes. Law, classical, and other triposes have no distinctive names, but are called Class I., II., or III. of the respective tripos.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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