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 ]

1. A title or degree of nobility; originally, the possessor of a fief, who had feudal tenants under him; in modern times, in France and Germany, a nobleman next in rank below a count; in England, a nobleman of the lowest grade in the House of Lords, being next below a viscount. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ “The tenants in chief from the Crown, who held lands of the annual value of four hundred pounds, were styled Barons; and it is to them, and not to the members of the lowest grade of the nobility (to whom the title at the present time belongs), that reference is made when we read of the Barons of the early days of England's history. . . . Barons are addressed as ‘My Lord, ' and are styled ‘Right Honorable.' All their sons and daughters are ‘Honorable.'” Cussans. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Old Law) A husband; as, baron and feme, husband and wife. [ R. ] Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Baron of beef, two sirloins not cut asunder at the backbone. --
Barons of the Cinque Ports, formerly members of the House of Commons, elected by the seven Cinque Ports, two for each port. --
Barons of the exchequer, the judges of the Court of Exchequer, one of the three ancient courts of England, now abolished. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. barnage, baronage, OF. barnage, F. baronnage; cf. LL. baronagium. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The whole body of barons or peers. [ 1913 Webster ]

The baronage of the kingdom. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The dignity or rank of a baron. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The land which gives title to a baron. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. same as baranduki; the terrestrial Siberian squirrel.
Syn. -- baranduki, barunduki, burunduki, Eutamius asiaticus, Eutamius sibiricus. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A baron's wife; also, a lady who holds the baronial title in her own right; as, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. 1. State or rank of a baronet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The collective body of baronets. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.; pl. Baronies [ OF. baronie, F. baronnie, LL. baronia. See Baron. ] 1. The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly to the English hundred, and supposed to have been originally the district of a native chief. There are 252 of these baronies. In Scotland, an extensive freehold. It may be held by a commoner. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]