Batoni () is a Georgian word for "lord", or "master". It is derived from patroni (áÂÂáÂÂá¢á áÂÂáÂÂáÂÂ), the earlier term of similar meaning, and appears in common usage in the 15th century.
- In Georgian feudal hierarchy, "batoni" may denote the supreme suzerain (i.e., monarch), seigneur, or any secular or clerical who owned qma, i.e., "slave" or "serf". The word sometimes appears as a part of the royal and nobiliary titulature. For example, the title of the Princes of Mukhrani was batoni (Mukhran-batoni), and the early kings of Kakheti were likewise referred to by that title in some Georgian sources.
- In modern usage, batoni is an honorific used for a man, an equivalent of both Mr. and sir. The equivalent female title is kalbatoni (áÂ¥áÂÂáÂÂáÂÂáÂÂá¢áÂÂáÂÂáÂÂ). It can be used with the full name as well as either the last or first name. When addressing someone directly, the word is used in a vocative case (kal)batono ([áÂ¥áÂÂáÂÂ]áÂÂáÂÂá¢áÂÂáÂÂáÂÂ), and precedes either the first name (more commonly) or the last name, but it can also be used by itself in direct address.
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