Webster's English Dictionary

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bachelor

bach.e.lor \'bach-(*-)l*r\ \-.hu.d\ n [ME bacheler, fr. OF, fr. ML 
   baccalarius tenant farmer, squire, adv]anced student, of Celtic origin; 
   akin to IrGael bachlach shepherd, peasant, fr. OIr bachall staff, fr. L 
   baculum 1: a young knight who follows the banner of another : KNIGHT 
   BACHELOR)M 2: a person who has received the lowest degree conferred by a 
   college, univ ersity, or professional school {~ of arts} 3a: an unmarried 
   man  3b: a male animal (as a fur seal) without a mate during breeding time  
   - bach.e.lor.hood n