Bār'on-et, n.

n. [Dim. of baron, L. Lat. baronettus.] A dignity or degree of honor next below a baron and above a knight, having precedency of all orders of knights except those of the garter, and being the only knighthood that is hereditary.

☞ The order was founded by James I. in 1611, and is given by patent. The word, however, in the sense of a lesser baron, was in use long before the time of James I.

Dukes, earls, barons, and baronettes might use livery of our lord the king. Stat. temp. Hen. IV.