Laureate

a. [Lat. laureatus, from laurea, laurel-tree, from laureus, of laurel, from laurus, laurel; Fr. lauréat, Pr. laureat, It. laureato, Sp. & Pg. laureado.] Decked or invested with laurel; as, laureate hearse. “To strew the laureate hearse where Lycid lies.” Milton.

Soft on her lap her laureate son reclines. Pope.

Poet laureate. (a.) 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.) An officer of the king’s household, whose business is to compose an ode annually for the king’s birthday, and other suitable occasions. It is said this title was first given in the time of Edward IV. [Eng.]