WordNet Dictionary- [n] a British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
- [n] (in various countries) a son or younger brother or a count
Webster's 1913 Dictionary\Vis"count`\, n. [OE. vicounte, OF. visconte, vescunte,
F. vicomte, LL. vicecomes; L. vice (see {Vice}, a.) + comes a
companion, LL., a count. See {Count}.]
1. (O. Eng. Law) An officer who formerly supplied the place
of the count, or earl; the sheriff of the county.
2. A nobleman of the fourth rank, next in order below an earl
and next above a baron; also, his degree or title of
nobility. See {Peer}, n., 3. [Eng.] --Chaucer.