baccalaureate

3 definitions found

baccalaureate - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Baccalaureate \Bac"ca*lau"re*ate\, n. [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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.]
        [1913 Webster]

  Baccalaureate \Bac`ca*lau"re*ate\, a.
     Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a sermon
        delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.
        [1913 Webster] Baccara

baccalaureate - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  baccalaureate
      n 1: a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their
           commencement ceremonies
      2: an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully
         completed undergraduate studies [syn: bachelor's degree,
         baccalaureate]