Baroness
/ˈbærənəs/noun
A woman who holds the rank of baron or is the wife of a baron.
Did you know?Baroness ultimately comes from a Germanic word meaning “free man” or “warrior,” so this noble title began as a status word before it became aristocratic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*barō
“free man, warrior”
Late Latin
Latin
baro
“man, warrior; later a vassal or nobleman”
Old French
OF
baron
“baron; nobleman”
Middle English
ME
baron
“a nobleman of rank”
Middle English
ME
baronesse
“wife of a baron; female holder of the title”
Modern English
English
baroness
“a woman who holds the rank of baron or is the wife of a baron”