|
Definition of Earl
1. Noun. A British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount.
Specialized synonyms: Earl Of Leicester, Montfort, Simon De Montfort
Derivative terms: Earldom, Earldom
Definition of Earl
1. n. A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graf in Germany. Hence the wife of an earl is still called countess. See Count.
2. n. The needlefish.
Definition of Earl
1. Proper noun. The title of an earl. ¹
2. Proper noun. (chiefly US) (given name male from=English) from the English noun earl. ¹
3. Proper noun. (surname from=Middle English dot=) for service in the household of an earl, or from a nickname. ¹
4. Noun. A British nobleman next in rank above a viscount and below a marquess; equivalent to a European count. A female using the style is termed a countess. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Earl
1. a British nobleman [n -S]
Medical Definition of Earl
1.
A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graf in Germany. Hence the wife of an earl is still called countess. See Count.
Origin: OE. Eorl, erl, AS. Eorl man, noble; akin to OS. Erl boy, man, Icel. Jarl nobleman, count, and possibly to Gr. Male, Zend arshan man. Cf. Jarl.