viscount

[ vahy-kount ]

/ ˈvaɪˌkaʊnt /

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noun

a nobleman next below an earl or count and next above a baron.

History/Historical. a deputy of a count or earl.

(in England) a sheriff.

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Origin of viscount

1350–1400; Middle English viscounte<Anglo-French; Old French visconte (French vicomte), equivalent to visvice³ + countecount², translation Medieval Latin vicecomes

Words nearby viscount

viscometer, Visconti, viscose, viscosity, viscosity index, viscount, viscountcy, viscountess, Viscount Melville Sound, viscounty, viscous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use viscount in a sentence

Viscount Mandeville, like many British aristocrats, had met her in the U.S. while “hunting” for an American wife.
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain|Tim Teeman|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At no time during the shoot was Viscount Severn directly in front of the Earl of Wessex.
Prince Charles Photographed Shooting, Charges of Animal Cruelty and Royal Hypocrisy Reignited|Tom Sykes|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From 1986 to 1995, the Viscount Althorp, as young Charles was then known, worked as a correspondent for NBC, most often for Today.
NBC’s Today Show ‘Hires’ Pippa Middleton|Lloyd Grove, Tom Sykes|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her father was a Viscount, so Taylor married into the Catalan aristocracy.
Whit Stillman on the 20th Anniversary of ‘Barcelona’, His New Amazon Series, and the Myth of the Ugly Expat|Michael Weiss|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The four page boys listed in today's programme were Hugo Bertie, Viscount Aithrie, Charles Armstrong-Jones and Arthur Chatto.
Thump! Audible Crash As Queen's Page Boy Collapses At Opening of Parliament|Tom Sykes|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Admiral Byng was himself the son of an admiral, who was created Viscount Torrington for his distinguished services.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
It was astonishing how rapidly the young viscount recovered when once Violet had come to Other Hall.
Julian Home|Dean Frederic W. Farrar
Viscount Melbourne expressed himself to the effect that the Earl of Ripon's motion came like a thunder-clap upon him.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
What was it to her if Harry were made a viscount, a duke, or the Pope?
Tristram of Blent|Anthony Hope
She hadn't the faintest idea what the viscount purposed doing, but whatever it was she must stop him.
The Tigress|Anne Warner

British Dictionary definitions for viscount

viscount

/ (ˈvaɪkaʊnt) /

noun

(in the British Isles) a nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron

(in various countries) a son or younger brother of a countSee also vicomte

(in medieval Europe) the deputy of a count

Word Origin for viscount

C14: from Old French visconte, from Medieval Latin vicecomes, from Late Latin vice- vice ³ + comes count ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

viscount

Origin of viscount

Words nearby viscount

Words related to viscount

How to use viscount in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for viscount

Word Origin for viscount