\Bach"e*lor\ (b[a^]ch"[-e]*l[~e]r), n. [OF. bacheler
young man, F. bachelier (cf.Pr. bacalar, Sp. bachiller, Pg.
bacharel, It. baccalare), LL. baccalarius the tenant of a
kind of farm called baccalaria, a soldier not old or rich
enough to lead his retainers into battle with a banner, a
person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a
doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to
baccalaureus. See {Baccalaureate}, n.]
1. A man of any age who has not been married.

         As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed
         a hound.                              --W. Irving.

2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.



3. A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the
   liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college
   or university; as, a bachelor of arts.

4. A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under
   the standard of another in the field; often, a young
   knight.

5. In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted
   to wear the livery; a junior member. [Obs.]

6. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish
   ({Pomoxys annularis}) of the southern United States.