Baron

/ˈbæɹən/ · noun

Meaning

The male ruler of a barony..

Definitions by Sense

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. (by extension) A person of great power in society, especially in business and politics.
4. (UK, prison slang) A prisoner who gains power and influence by lending or selling goods such as tobacco.
5. A baron of beef, a cut made up of a double sirloin.
6. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Euthalia.
7. (law, obsolete) A husband.

Example Sentences

railroad baron

tech baron

There were a few exotics among them — some South American boys, sons of Argentine beef barons, one or two Russians, and even a Siamese prince, or someone who was described as a prince.

British journalists shun complete respectability, feeling a duty to be ready to savage the mighty, or rummage through their bins. Elsewhere in Europe, government contracts and subsidies ensure that press barons will only defy the mighty so far.

The first thing a baron does is to accumulate a supply of tobacco. He spends every penny he can earn on laying it in […]

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.

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.

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.

Synonyms for baron

Antonyms for baron

Related Words

Word Forms

• barons

Usage Notes

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