earldom

Variant of earl

earl definition

earl (ʉrl)

noun

a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess: the wife or widow of an earl is called a countess

Etymology: ME erl, nobleman, count < OE eorl, warrior, akin to ON jarl, leader, noble

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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