ˈbach(ə)lə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English bacheler, from Old French, young man, squire, from Medieval Latin baccalarius dependent farmer, tenant, young clerk, advanced student, of Celtic origin; akin to Irish Gaelic bachlach peasant, shepherd, from Old Irish bachall staff, from Latin baculus, baculum — more at bacterium
1.
a. : a usually young knight who was entitled to display his own pennon but who followed the banner of another : knight bachelor
b. : an apprentice or novice knight
2. : a person who has received what is usually the first or lowest degree conferred by a college or university or by some professional schools
bachelor of letters
bachelor of divinity
bachelor of laws
3.
a. : an unmarried person of marriageable age ; especially : a man of marriageable age
remained a bachelor for seven years after his wife's death
a bachelor girl
b. : a male animal ; specifically : a young male fur seal when without a mate during breeding time
4. : white crappie
• bach·e·lor·dom -dəm noun -s
• bach·e·lor·hood -ˌhu̇d noun -s