viscount

Where does the word "viscount" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin vice comes, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

Viscount’s story begins in Medieval Latin: vice comes meant “a deputy count.” Literally deputy count, from vice- (in place of) and comes (count). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as viscounte. Settled in French for a nobleman ranking just below a count. It reached English by 1400s as viscount. Latin 'vice comes', deputy count; the first English viscount was created in 1440. Today, viscount means a nobleman ranking below an earl or count and above a baron.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval vice comes "a deputy count", literally deputy count, from vice- (in place of) and comes (count).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval viscounte "a nobleman below a count", settled in French for a nobleman ranking just below a count.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s viscount "a nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron", Latin 'vice comes', deputy count; the first English viscount was created in 1440.