■ noun
1》 a member of the lowest order of the British nobility.
↘ historical a person who held lands or property from the sovereign or a powerful overlord.
2》 a powerful person in business or industry: a press ~.
Derivatives
~ial bə'rəʊnɪəl adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr., from med. L. baro , ~- 'man, warrior', prob. of Gmc origin.