baccalaureate Hear it!

baccalaureate definition

bac·ca·lau·re·ate (bak′ə lôr′ē it)

noun

  1. the degree of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, etc.
  2. ☆ an address or sermon delivered to a graduating class at commencement
    also baccalaureate address (or sermon) baccalaureate address (or sermon)

Etymology: ML baccalaureatus; as if < L bacca laureus, laurel berry, but actually < ML baccalaris, vassal farmer, young nobleman seeking to become a knight < ? Gaul *bakalākos, a staff-bearer, shepherd < L baculum, staff

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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