banneret

1 of 2

noun (1)

ban·​ner·​et ˈba-nə-rət 

ˌba-nə-ˈret

often capitalized

: a knight leading his vassals into the field under his own banner

banneret

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly bannerette

: a small banner

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English baneret, banerette "knight belonging to the higher of the two grades of knighthood (opposed to a knight-bachelor), able to bring vassals into the field under his own banner" borrowed from Anglo-French baneret, banneret (continental Old French banerès [subject], banerec [object]), from baner banner entry 1 + -et -et entry 1 (or alternatively from ban "summon to arms by a king or lord" + -eret, extension of -et)

Noun (2)

Middle English banerett, from baner banner entry 1 + -et -et entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above