professionalism
UK: prəˈfeʃənəlɪzəm | US: prəˈfeʃənəlɪzəm
n. the competence, skill, or conduct expected of a professional
n. the practice or ethos of maintaining professional standards
The word "professionalism" traces back to the Latin "professio" (a public declaration, later specialized to mean "vocation"). The suffix "-al" (from Latin "-alis") transforms "profession" into an adjective, while "-ism" (from Greek "-ismos") nominalizes it to denote a quality or system. The term evolved in the 19th century to emphasize the standards and ethics of skilled occupations, reflecting societal shifts toward formalized expertise.
Her professionalism during the crisis earned her widespread respect.
The company prioritizes professionalism in all client interactions.
His lack of professionalism led to strained workplace relationships.
Medical schools emphasize both knowledge and professionalism.
The team's professionalism was evident in their meticulous project delivery.