A count is a nobleman in European countries; The wor count comes from French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The British equivalent is an earl (whose wife is also a "countess", for lack of an Anglo-Saxon term). Alternative "Count" (Hakushaku) status are used in other countries with different names such as during the Empire of Japan.