barony

Etymology

From Middle English baronie, baronye, from Old French baronie, equivalent to baron + -y.

noun

1. The domain of a baron or baroness, usually as part of a larger kingdom or empire.
   1. (historical, Ireland) Synonym of hundred, an English administrative division originally reckoned as comprising 100 hides and in various numbers composing counties.
      In Ireland... an head constable for each barony or hundred, being 252. a. 1687, W. Petty, The Political Anatomy of Ireland, page 326
      The Baronies appear to have been formed successively on the submission of the Irish chiefs... the territory of each constituting a barony. 1873, General Report on the Census of England, volume IV, page 181
   2. (Scotland) Any large manor or estate, regardless of its owner's rank.
2. (obsolete) The baronage: the body of barons in a realm.
3. Baronship, the rank or position of a baron.
4. (law) The legal tenure of a baron's land; military tenure.