Earldom

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Earldom \Earl"dom\, n. [AS. eorl-d?m; eorl man, noble + -d?m
     -dom.]
     1. The jurisdiction of an earl; the territorial possessions
        of an earl.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. The status, title, or dignity of an earl.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He [Pulteney] shrunk into insignificancy and an
              earldom.                              --Chesterfield.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  earldom
       n 1: the dignity or rank or position of an earl or countess
       2: the domain controlled by an earl or count or countess

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  EARLDOM. The seigniory of an earl; the title and dignity of an earl.