Vis'count, n.
(vĭ/kount), n. [O. Fr. viscomte, vice-comte, vicomte, N. Fr. vicomte, Pr. vescomt, Sp. vizconde, Pg. visconde, It. visconte, L. Lat. vice-comes, from Lat. vice, q. v., and comes, a companion, L. Lat. a count.]
Sense 1. (O. Eng. Law.) An officer who formerly supplied the place of the count or earl; the sheriff of the county.
Sense 2. A nobleman next in rank below an earl; also, his degree or title of nobility. [Eng.] Cowell.