Baccalaureate Definition

băkə-lôrē-ĭt
noun
A farewell address in the form of a sermon delivered to a graduating class.
American Heritage
The degree of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.
Webster's New World
An address or sermon delivered to a graduating class at commencement.
Webster's New World

The first or lowest academic degree conferred by universities and colleges; a bachelor degree.

Wiktionary
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.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Baccalaureate

Noun

Singular:
baccalaureate
Plural:
baccalaureates

Origin of Baccalaureate

  • 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.

    From Wiktionary

  • 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.

    From Wiktionary

  • Medieval Latin baccalaureātus from baccalārius bachelor (influenced by laureātus crowned with laurel) bachelor

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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