baron
see also: Baron
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈbæɹən/
  • (GA) IPA: /ˈbɛɹən/
Noun
  1. The male ruler of a barony.
  2. A male member of the lowest rank of English nobility (the equivalent rank in Scotland is lord).
  3. A particular cut of beef, made up of a double sirloin.
    • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, chapter 34
      Such portentous appetites had Queequeg and Tashtego, that to fill out the vacancies made by the previous repast, often the pale Dough-Boy was fain to bring on a great baron of salt-junk, seemingly quarried out of the solid ox.
  4. A person of great power in society, especially in business and politics.
    “Robber baron” or “robber knight” is an historic term and title of disdain.
  5. (UK, prison, slang) A prisoner who gains power and influence by lending or selling tobacco.
    • 1960, Hugh J. Klare, Anatomy of Prison (page 33)
      The first thing a baron does is to accumulate a supply of tobacco. He spends every penny he can earn on laying it in […]
    • 1961, Peter Baker, Time out of life (page 51)
      Nevertheless, from my own agonies of the first few months, after which I did not miss smoking at all, I could appreciate the need of others. It was in this atmosphere of craving that the 'barons' thrived. Barons are prisoners who lend tobacco.
    • 1980, Leonard Michaels, ‎Christopher Ricks, The State of the Language (page 525)
      In British prisons tobacco still remains the gold standard which is made to back every transaction and promise. The official allowance is barely sufficient for individual smoking needs, but tobacco may expensively be borrowed or bought from a baron, possibly through his runner.
  6. (legal, obsolete) A husband.
    baron and feme: husband and wife
  7. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Euthalia.
Related terms Translations
Baron
Proper noun
  1. Surname



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