Alma mater (Latin alma "nourishing/kind", mater "mother"; pl. [rarely used] almae matres) is a term that was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele,and later in Christianity for the Virgin Mary. In many modern languages it is principally heard as a term of academia. It may also refer to the school, college or university from which an individual has graduated or which they have attended, and is usually the one from which one has received a bachelor's degree or associate's degree– i.e., where one is considered an alumnus/alumna. The term may also refer to a song or hymn associated with a school.