BACHELOR

In the English Universities, the lowest degree in arts, law, divinity, medicine, and music. It is, like other university honours, of French origin. For the various derivations that have been suggested for this word, sec Baccalauueat. Bachelor. In Heraldry, the lowest order of knighthood. See Knight. Bachelor, in the Livery Companies of London, is one who is not yet admitted of the livery; also called yeoman. BACILLAHEjE. A small group of Algaceous plants, having an extremely simple structure, and in part the same as what are called Cymbelleffi. They stand on the limits of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, and are said to have a power of spontaneous motion. [s. 128]