principates

Noun

principate (countable and uncountable, plural principates)

1. (Ancient-Rome) The early period of the Roman Empire, during which some characteristics of the government of the Roman Republic were retained; the reign of any particular emperor during said period.
   • The history of the courts and of judicial procedure during the principate is closely parallel to that of the government as a whole.1972, H. F. Jolowicz, Barry Nicholas, A Historical Introduction to the Study of Roman Law, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press, page 395
2. The office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence.
   • From all this we may draw the conclusion that papal principate was instituted for the utility and advantage of its subjects and not for the honour and glory or the utility and temporal advantage of the holder of the principate, in such a way as that such principate deserves to be called 'of...1998, Annabel S. Brett (translator and editor), William of Ockham, On the Power Of Emperors and Popes, Thoemmes Press, page 87

   Synonyms:

   princedom, primacy, principality

3. A state ruled by a prince; a principality.

   Synonyms:

   princedom, principality

See all 4 meanings of principate