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Webster 1913 Edition

Baccalaureate

Bac′ca-lau′re-ate

,
Noun.
[NL.
baccalaureatus
, fr. LL.
baccalaureus
a bachelor of arts, fr.
baccalarius
, but as if fr. L.
bacca lauri
bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor’s wearing a garland of bayberries. See
Bachelor
.]
1.
The degree of bachelor of arts (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.
2.
A baccalaureate sermon.
[U.S.]

Bacˊca-lau′re-ate

,
Adj.
Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
Baccalaureate sermon
,
in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.

Webster 1828 Edition

Baccalaureate

BACCALAU'REATE

,
Noun.
[The first part of this word is from the same root as bachelor; or as Bailey supposes, from bacca, berry; and the latter part, from laurea, a laurel, from the practice of wearing a garland of bay berries.]
The degree of bachelor of arts.

Definition 2024

baccalaureate

baccalaureate

English

Noun

baccalaureate ‎(plural baccalaureates)

  1. A bachelor's degree.
  2. A high school completion exam and qualification awarded in many countries (e.g. Finland, France, Moldova, Romania), designed to enable students to go on to higher education.
  3. (US) A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class.

Synonyms

Translations

See also

Etymology

From French baccalauréat, from Medieval Latin baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus, an alteration of baccalarius ‎(“young man aspiring to knighthood”), to resemble bacca lauri ‎(“laurel berry”) (the ancient symbol of victory). Compare Bachelor.

During the Renaissance, doctors, upon passing their final examinations, were decorated with berried branches of bay.  From this ancient custom derives the French word baccalaureate, from the Latin "bacca," a berry, and "laureus," of laurel), and, by modification, the term "bachelor" in referring to a college degree. 

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /bækəˈlɔːɹɪət/

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