Colleague, n.
Etymology: [F. collgue, L. collega one chosen at the same time with another, a partner in office; col- + legare to send or choose as deputy. See Legate.]
A partner or associate in some civil or ecclesiastical office or employment. It is never used of partners in trade or manufactures.
Syn. -- Helper; assistant; coadjutor; ally; associate; companion; confederate.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Colleague, v.t & i.
To unite or associate with another or with others. [R.] Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for colleague; he lists it under accessory, associate.
Where he writes about it:
Colleague is used always in a good sense, associate and coadjutor generally so; ally, assistant, associate, attendant, companion, helper, either in a good or a bad sense; abetter, accessory, accomplice, confederate, almost always in a bad sense. — from accessory
Colleague is applied to civil and ecclesiastical connections; members of Congress from the same State are colleagues, even though they may be bitter opponents politically and personally. — from accessory