a. [ L. laureatus, fr. laurea laurel tree, fr. laureus of laurel, fr. laurus laurel: cf. F. lauréat. Cf. Laurel. ] Crowned, or decked, with laurel. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Soft on her lap her laureate son reclines. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Poet laureate. (b) One who received an honorable degree in grammar, including poetry and rhetoric, at the English universities; -- so called as being presented with a wreath of laurel. [ Obs. ] (b) Formerly, an officer of the king's household, whose business was to compose an ode annually for the king's birthday, and other suitable occasions; now, a poet officially distinguished by such honorary title, the office being a sinecure. It is said this title was first given in the time of Edward IV. [ Eng. ] (c) A poet who has been publicly recognized as the most pre-eminent poet of a country or region; as, the poet laureate of the United States. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. 1. One crowned with laurel; a poet laureate. “A learned laureate.” Cleveland. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A person who has been presented with an award for some distinguished achievement; as, a Nobel laureate; the Pris de Rome laureate; the Music Director Laureate; the conductor laureate. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Laureated p. pr. & vb. n. Laureating ] To honor with a wreath of laurel, as formerly was done in bestowing a degree at the English universities. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State, or office, of a laureate. [ 1913 Webster ]