Bac"ca*lau"re*ate (&?;), n. [NL. baccalaureatus, fr. LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius, but as if fr. L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor's wearing a garland of bayberries. See Bachelor.] 1. The degree of bachelor of arts (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.