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

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

"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.