■ noun
1》 a man who is not and has never been married.
↘ Zoology a male bird or mammal prevented from breeding by a dominant male.
2》 a person who holds a first degree from a university or other academic institution (only in titles or set expressions).
3》 historical a young knight serving under another's banner.
Derivatives
~hood noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. bacheler 'a young man aspiring to knighthood'.