nobiliary particle

American  

noun

Grammar.

1. a preposition forming part of a title of nobility or surname, as French de or German von.

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nobiliary particle British  

noun

1. a preposition, such as French de or German von, occurring as part of a title or surname

   Marquis de Sade

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Example Sentences

If only a 21st-century title came with a nobiliary particle.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2014

"Why, the emperor has just issued a decree, providing that in future he shall have the use of the nobiliary particle; from henceforth he will have the right to call himself 'Von Gott'."

From Best Short Stories by Masson, Thomas L.

Mixing with the higher classes of society, he wished, like them, to be known by a territorial possession, and framed the name now resounding through the world, prefixing to it the nobiliary particle, De.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 110, December 6, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various