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viscount

/ˌvaɪˈkaʊnt/
IPA guide

Other forms: viscounts

A viscount is a member of the nobility, a man whose title gives him a rank just above a baron.

In the United Kingdom, viscount is sometimes a "courtesy title," bestowed at some point during the recipient's live, while others are born into the title. If you're hanging out with noblemen, you may meet the Viscount of Arbuthnot or the Viscount Colville of Culross. The equivalent title for a woman is vicountess. Both words come from Latin roots, vice, "deputy," and comes, "nobleman."

Definitions of viscount
  1. noun
    a British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
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    type of:
    peer
    a nobleman (duke or marquis or earl or viscount or baron) who is a member of the British peerage
  2. noun
    (in various countries) a son or younger brother or a count
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    type of:
    Lord, noble, nobleman
    a titled peer of the realm
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