baron English · revision 15372

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=probably before 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbæɹən/ ''(UK)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|baron]], [[bor|fro|baron]], the accusative of [[m|fro|ber|t=military leader]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[la-med|barō|t=man, warrior]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) or directly from [[frk|*barō|t=king's man, freeman]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) of Germanic origin, akin to [[goh|baro|t=man, freeborn warrior]].^(MWU 2024)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline also mentions a possible Celtic source.^(Etymonline) A link with earlier Latin [[m|la|bārō|t=fool]] is not supportable.^(Barnhart 1988) In English it merged with the probably cognate [[ang|beorn|t=nobleman]], Middle English [[m|enm|bern]] (1190).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A tenant of the king or another lord, holding title by military or other service: probably before 1200, in Layamon's ''Brut'', in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) about 1200 in Etymonline and the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a specific rank, the lowest grade of nobility, it is from before 1200.^(OED 1989) The judges of the Court of Exchequer were called barons from 1130,^(OED 1989) the freemen of London and York from before 1259,^(OED 1989) and in law and heraldry baron meant husband (''baron and feme'') from 1292.^(OED 1989) A magnate in commerce or finance, as in ''press baron'', is from 1776.^(OED 1989) A baron of beef, a double sirloin, is from 1755.^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) Baronet is probably from before 1400, though the modern title was instituted in 1611.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1130 – barons of the Exchequer.^(OED 1989)

+ * probably before 1200 – a feudal baron.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1292 – baron, husband (law).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1755 – baron of beef.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1776 – a business magnate.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[nobleman]] of the lowest rank in the British peerage, or of a similar rank elsewhere.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # In the Middle Ages, a [[tenant-in-chief]] holding land directly from a king by honourable service.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A powerful businessman: ''a press baron''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A joint of beef made up of two [[sirloin|alt=sirloins]].^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[barony]]

+ * [[baronize]]

+ * [[robber baron]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[baroness]]

+ * [[baronetcy]]

+ * [[baronial]]

+ * [[baronet]]

+ * [[bairn]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Kent a baron was a freeman of the Cinque Ports.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}