Earldom

Definition of earldom:

part of speech: noun

Rank or dominion of an earl.

part of speech: noun

The dominion or dignity of an earl.

part of speech: noun

The dignity, possessions, or authority of an earl.

Usage examples for earldom:

• As for the Lamptons, there is an earldom in the English family, and there were claimants even then in the American branch. "Mark Twain, A Biography, Vol. 1, Part 1, 1835-1866 The Personal And Literary Life Of Samuel Langhorne Clemens", Albert Bigelow Paine.

• He had inherited from his father, a younger brother, a small estate; and, though heir to a wealthy earldom he had never abused what the world called 'his prospects. "The Young Duke", Benjamin Disraeli.

• With a strong hand had he avenged upon the princes and their followers the many miseries they had inflicted upon his people; and in carrying out these measures he had seized upon the great earldom of Strathern, which had descended to one of their party in right of his wife, declaring that it could not be inherited by a female. "A Book of Golden Deeds", Charlotte M. Yonge.

• Mr. Walsh sailed in the Doutelle, after receiving the prince's warmest thanks, and a letter to his father in Rome begging him to grant Mr. Walsh an Irish earldom as a reward for the services he had rendered, a recommendation which was complied with. "Bonnie Prince Charlie A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden", G. A. Henty.