[f. LAUREATE sb. + -SHIP.] a. The office of (poet) laureate.
1785. Rolliad, I. (title), Probationary Odes for the Laureatship.
1813. Scott, Lett. to Jas. Ballantyre, 24 Aug., in Lockhart. I have a letter by order of the Prince Regent offering me the laureateship in the most flattering terms.
1858. Masson, Milton, I. 337. The year 1632 was (nominally) the thirteenth year of the laureateship of Ben Jonson.
b. The personality of a laureate (used jocosely, with possessive pron., as a title).
1732. Gentl. Mag., 563/2. Here, replied his Laureatship, are my Works, presenting a large Volume in Quarto.
1829. Southey, Epistle in Anniversary, 21. To personate my injured Laureateship.
