1. (n.) A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graf in Germany. Hence the wife of an earl is still called countess. See Count.

2. (n.) The needlefish.

Brahman archduke aristocrat armiger baron baronet blue blood count daimio duke esquire gentleman grand duke grandee hidalgo lace-curtain laird landgrave lord lordling magnate magnifico margrave marquis noble nobleman optimate palsgrave patrician peer seigneur seignior silk-stocking squire swell thoroughbred upper-cruster viscount waldgrave