n. [ OE. baron, barun, OF. baron, accus. of ber, F. baron, prob. fr. OHG. baro (not found) bearer, akin to E. bear to support; cf. O. Frisian bere, LL. baro, It. barone, Sp. varon. From the meaning bearer (of burdens) seem to have come the senses strong man, man (in distinction from woman), which is the oldest meaning in French, and lastly, nobleman. Cf. L. baro, simpleton. See Bear to support. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ “The tenants in chief from the Crown, who held lands of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled
Baron of beef,
Barons of the Cinque Ports,
Barons of the exchequer,
n. [ OE. barnage, baronage, OF. barnage, F. baronnage; cf. LL. baronagium. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
The baronage of the kingdom. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. same as baranduki; the terrestrial Siberian squirrel.
n. A baron's wife; also, a lady who holds the baronial title in her own right;
n. [ Baron + -et. ] A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except those of the Garter. It is the lowest degree of honor that is hereditary. The baronets are commoners. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent. The word, however, in the sense of a lesser baron, was in use long before. “Baronets have the title of 'Sir' prefixed to their Christian names; their surnames being followed by their dignity, usually abbreviated Bart. Their wives are addressed as 'Lady' or 'Madam'. Their sons are possessed of no title beyond 'Esquire.'” Cussans. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
n. The rank or patent of a baronet. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ Native name. ] A kind of cutting weapon similar to a cleaver, with a thick back and thin razorlike edge, used by the Moros of the Philippine Islands. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
a. Pertaining to a baron or a barony. “Baronial tenure.” Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;