A count is a nobleman in most European countries, equivalent in rank to a British earl (whose wife is also a "countess", for lack of an Anglo-Saxon term). The word 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". Alternative "Count" (Hakushaku) status are used in other countries with different names such as during the Empire of Japan.