Bachelor's Degree
/ˈbætʃələrz dɪˈɡriː/noun
An undergraduate academic qualification awarded after completing a prescribed course of study.
Did you know?In medieval Europe, bachelor originally referred to a young knight or junior member of a guild, while degree literally meant a “step” or rank in a hierarchy.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghredh-
“To walk, step, or go forward; the ancestral root behind Latin words for steps and advancement.”
11th–12th Century
Old French
bacheler
“A young man, junior knight, or apprentice not yet possessing the full status of a master.”
13th Century
Middle English
bacheler
“A young knight, unmarried man, or junior member of a learned or professional group.”
13th Century
Latin
gradus
“A step, stair, rank, or stage; the source of English degree.”
14th Century
Middle English
degree
“A step in a scale, rank, social order, or course of advancement.”
15th–16th Century
English
bachelor degree
“An academic rank below that of master, awarded by a university.”
Modern English
English
bachelor's degree
“An undergraduate university qualification, commonly completed after several years of study.”