'academe' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'Akadēmia', where 'Akadēmos' was a hero after whom Plato's school was named.

'Akadēmia' transformed into the Latin word 'academia', and eventually became the modern English word 'academe' through Middle English.

Initially, it referred to Plato's school, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of the academic world or environment.