Baronet

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bæɹəˈnɛt/

Definitions

1. A member of the British aristocracy holding a title that is hereditary and ranks below that of a baron
2. An individual recognized within the British peerage system, possessing a hereditary title that conveys gentility and certain honors beneath a baron
3. A hereditary title holder within the British noble hierarchy, who possesses a degree of gentility and ranks just below a baron in terms of aristocratic status

Etymology: King James I created the rank of baronet to raise money. Wealthy gentlemen could purchase a hereditary title, and the revenue helped finance the English colonisation of Ulster in Ireland. Baronets were not peers and had no seat in the House of Lords, but they could be styled "Sir" and pass the title to their heirs. The name is a diminutive of "baron". English took "baron" from Old French, and the French suffix "-et" makes the word mean something like "little baron". The ranking fits the name: a baronet stands below a baron, though both are hereditary titles.

Synonyms: noble, gentleman, landowner, peer, aristocrat