baccalaureate

views updated May 21 2018

baccalaureate originally, a university bachelor's degree; now (since 1970), an examination intended to qualify successful candidates for higher education. The word comes (in the mid 17th century) from French baccalauréat or medieval Latin baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus ‘bachelor’. The earlier form baccalarius was altered by wordplay to conform with bacca lauri ‘laurel berry’, because of the laurels awarded to scholars.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

baccalaureate

views updated May 17 2018

bac·ca·lau·re·ate / ˌbakəˈlôrēit/ • n. a college bachelor's degree.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

baccalaureate

views updated May 17 2018

baccalaureate bachelor's degree in a university. XVII. — F. baccalauréat or modL. baccalaureatus, f. medL. baccalarius BACHELOR; see -ATE1.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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