poet laureate (English, noun)
expansion: poet laureate (plural poets laureate or poet laureates)
Senses:
glosses: A poet officially appointed by a government, often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events.
glosses: 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.
tags: obsolete
glosses: 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.
tags: British
historical
Forms:
form: poets laureate
tags: plural
form: poet laureates
tags: plural