baccalaureate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies
  2. noun an academic degree conferred on someone who has successfully completed undergraduate studies
    bachelor's degree.

WordNet

Bac"ca*lau"re*ate noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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.
Bac`ca*lau"re*ate adjective
Definitions
  1. Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.

Webster 1913