See Also: Laureate(medicine)
laureate(1)(dictionary)
laureate(2)(dictionary)
laureate(dictionary)
poet laureate(encyclopedia)
poet laureate(dictionary)

laureate(1) (iou)



laureate adjective & noun. Also laureat. LME.
[Latin laureatus, from laurea laurel tree, laurel crown, use as noun of fem. of laureus adjective, from laurus LAUREL noun, or from medieval Latin laureat- pa. ppl stem of laureare crown with laurels: see -ATE2.]
A. adjective.
a. Of a crown or wreath: consisting of laurel, imitating a crown or wreath composed of laurel. LME.
b. Crowned with laurel, wearing a laurel crown or wreath as a symbol of distinction or eminence. E17.
Distinguished for excellence as a poet. Now chiefly in POET laureate. LME.
b. gen. Worthy of special distinction or honour, pre-eminent in a certain sphere. E16.
Of a thing: worthy of a laurel wreath; deserving to be honoured for eloquence etc. In later use also, of or pertaining to poets. LME.
b. noun.
Glory, honour, distinction. Only in L15.
a. (Also Laureate.) = POET laureate. E16.
b. transf. A person who is pre-eminent or worthy of special distinction in a certain sphere. E19.
Hartley Coleridge Herrick was the laureate of flowers and perfumes.
c. A eulogist, a court panegyrist. M19.
d. A person awarded an honour for achieving distinction, a graduate. L19.
Nobel laureate: see NOBEL 2.
laureateship noun the position or office of (poet) laureate L18.