earl

views updated Jun 11 2018

earl / ərl/ • n. a British nobleman ranking above a viscount and below a marquess.

earl

views updated May 29 2018

earl †warrior, nobleman, prince, OE.; equiv. of count XII. OE. eorl = OS., OHG. erl, ON. jarl (runic erilaR), of unkn. orig.
Hence earldom XII.