laureate

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]

Laureate Lau"re*ate, 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]

Laureate Lau"re*ate, 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]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English