sb. Obs. Forms: 3 bachelrye, 3–4 bachelerie, 4 -ilerie, 4–5 -elrie, 5 bachelary, -ellerye, -yllerie, -ye, 5–7 -elery, 7 batchelary, -ellrie. [a. OF. bachelerie (still in Cotgr.), f. bacheler BACHELOR: see -RY.]
1. The quality of a young knight; prowess.
1297. R. Glouc., 192. Þe knyȝtes atyled hem aboute in eche syde, In feldes and in medys to preue her bachelerye.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Maunc. T., 21. This Phebus, that was flour of bachilerie.
2. Bachelors collectively: a. Young knights as a class or body. (Cf. chivalry.)
1297. R. Glouc., 76. A fayr ost of þys bachelerie.
c. 1330. Arth. & Merl., 4099. Her schal com a bachelrie Of the to haue cheualrie.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., clxxx. 160. Kyng edward sent after al the bachyllerye of englond [ed. 1520 (f. 121. b) bachelarie].
1656. Finett, For. Ambass., 10. The Prince Palatine, attended by the Batchellrie of the Nobilitie.
b. A body of unmarried men.
a. 1500[?]. Turnam. Tottenh., xxv. in Percy’s Reliq. Whych of all thys bachelery Were best worthye To wed hur.
1615. A. Niccholes, Marriage (1620), B. To the Youth and Batchelary of England, hote bloods at high Reuels.
