or Bachelor, a man who still continues in the state of celibacy, or who was never married.

Batchelor was anciently a denomination given to those who had attained to knighthood, but had not a number of vassals sufficient to have their banner carried before them in the field of battle; or, if they were not of the order of bannerets, were not of age to display their own banner, but obliged to march to battle under another's banner. It was also a title given to young cavaliers, who having made their first campaign, received the military girdle accordingly. And it served to denominate him who had overcome another in a tournament, the first time he ever engaged.

Knights Batchelors were so called, as being the lowest order of knights, or inferior to bannerets.

Batchelors, in an university-sense, are persons that have attained to the baccalaureate, or who have taken the first degree in the liberal arts and sciences. Before a person can be admitted to this degree at Oxford, it is necessary that he study there four years; three years more may intitle him to the degree of master of arts; and in seven years more he may commence bachelor of divinity. At Cambridge the degrees are usually taken much the same as at Oxford, excepting in law and physic, in either of which the bachelor's degree may be taken in six years. In France, the degree of batchelor of divinity is attained in five year's study; that is, in two years of philosophy, and three of divinity.