\Land"grave`\, n. [G. landgraf; land land + graf earl,
count; cf. D. landgraaf, F. landgrave.]
A German nobleman of a rank corresponding to that of an earl
in England and of a count in France.
Note: The title was first adopted by some German counts in
      the twelfth century, to distinguish themselves from the
      inferior counts under their jurisdiction. Three of them
      were princes of the empire.