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

Bachelor is a word of uncertain etymology, it not being known what was its original sense. Junius derives it from Bacca, foolish; Menage, from Bas Chevalier, a knight of the lowest rank; Spelman, from Baculus, a staff; Cujas, from Buccella, an allowance of provision. The most probable derivation of it seems to be from Bacca Laurus, the berry of a laurel or bay; bachelors being young and of good hopes, like laurels in the berry. In Latin, Baccalaureus.

Bachelor, 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. Bachelors were so called, as being the lowest order of knights, or inferior to baronets.