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.
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.
