/bak'euh lawr"ee it, -lor"-/ , n.
1. See bachelor's degree .
2. a religious service held at an educational institution, usually on the Sunday before commencement day.
3. See baccalaureate sermon .
[ 1615-25; baccalaureatus, equiv. to baccalaure ( us ) advanced student, bachelor (for baccalarius (see BACHELOR), alter. by assoc. with L phrase bacca laureus laurel berry) + -atus -ATE 1 ]