I. ˈlȯrēə̇t, ˈlär-, usu -ə̇d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English laureat, from Latin laureatus crowned with laurel, from laurea laurel wreath (from feminine of laureus of laurel, from laurus laurel + -eus -eous) + -atus -ate — more at laurel
1.
a. : of an excellence especially in poetry worthy of the laurel wreath
b. : of or relating to a prizewinner
at the laureate concert Sunday night — New York Times
laureate pension
Nobel laureate geneticist — Newsweek
2. archaic : of, relating to, or resembling laurel
to grace by youthful brow the laureate wreath … she brings — Thomas Gray
3. : crowned or decked with laurel
laureate the head of Caesar
strew the laureate hearse — John Milton
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a recipient of an honor or award for outstanding achievement in an art or science
Nobel laureate in physics
specifically : poet laureate
laureate John Masefield's special ode — College English
2. : one that praises : eulogist
the laureate of a dying society — Martin Turnell
dry and amusing laureate of Cape Cod — Carl Van Doren
III. -ēˌāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to crown with or as if with a laurel wreath as a mark of honor or achievement ; specifically : to confer a European university degree upon
privileges which made the member of one university a citizen of all others … whether he was laureated in Paris or Bologna — J.H.Burton
2. : to appoint to the office of poet laureate