The members of the higher ranks of the aristocracy, nobility above the rank of baron or its equivalent, especially in continental Europe.
Early 17th century; earliest use found in John Cowell (1554–1611), civil lawyer.
英汉双解词典包含464360条英汉词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。