n. & v.
n. 1 a person who has been awarded an academic degree (also attrib.: graduate student). 2 US a person who has completed a school course.
v. 1 a intr. take an academic degree. b tr. US admit to an academic degree or a certificate of completion of School Studies. 2 intr. a (foll. by from) be a graduate of a specified university. b (foll. by in) be a graduate in a specified subject. 3 tr. US send out as a graduate from a university etc. 4 intr. a (foll. by to) move up to (a higher grade of activity etc.). b (foll. by as, in) gain specified qualifications. 5 tr. mark out in degrees or parts. 6 tr. arrange in gradations; apportion (e.g. tax) according to a scale. 7 intr. (foll. by into, away) pass by degrees. graduated pension (in the UK) a system of pension contributions by employees in proportion to their wages or salary. graduate school a department of a university for advanced work by graduates. graduator n.
[ med.L graduari take a degree f. L gradus step ]