[See -SHIP.]

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  1.  The state of being a bachelor, i.e., unmarried.

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1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. iv. 13. She was the first fruite of my Bach’ler-ship.

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1833.  Lamb, Elia (1860), 365. I lay down for a brief while my solitary bachelorship.

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  † 2.  The state or position of a knight bachelor.

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1611.  Cotgr., Bachelerie, a Bachelership: the degree, estate, condition of an Esquire or Bacheler.

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  3.  The standing of a Bachelor of Arts, etc.

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a. 1656.  Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 8. The third year of my Bachelarship.

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1859.  Masson, Milton, I. 116. Bachelorship terminating with the attainment of the M.A. degree.

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  † 4.  Apprenticeship (see BACHELOR 3 b). Obs.

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1611.  Cotgr., Bachelarie, bachelership, prentishood.

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