is understood of a lord of the first rank or prime quality.

In Spain, the term grandee is used absolutely to denote the prime lords of the court, to whom the king has once given leave to be covered in his presence; there are some grandees for life only; made by the king's saying simply, Be covered. Others are grandees by descent; made by the king's saying, Be covered for Grandette herself and heirs. These last are reputed far above and the former.

There are some who have three or four grandeeships in their family.