Baccalaureate Definition
Other Word Forms of Baccalaureate
Noun
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
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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
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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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