barony

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: bar=o=ny

CIDE DICTIONARY

barony, n. [OF. baronie, F. baronnie, LL. baronia. See Baron.].

•  The fee or domain of a baron; the lordship, dignity, or rank of a baron.  [1913 Webster]
•  In Ireland, a territorial division, corresponding nearly to the English hundred, and supposed to have been originally the district of a native chief. There are 252 of these baronies. In Scotland, an extensive freehold. It may be held by a commoner.  Brande & C.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

barony, n. (pl. -ies)
1 the domain, rank, or tenure of a baron.
2 (in Ireland) a division of a county.
3 (in Scotland) a large manor or estate.

Etymology

ME f. OF baronie (as BARON)