PRINCIPATE

Etymology

Noun

principate (countable and uncountable, plural principates)

(historical) 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 office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence.

A state ruled by a prince; a principality.

Usage notes

• (early period of the Roman Empire): Taken to extend from the beginning of Augustus' reign to the end of the Crisis of the Third Century: i.e, from 27 BCE—284 CE. The end corresponds to the beginning of the reign of Diocletian, whose reforms included a move to a more explicitly autocratic style.

Synonyms

• (office of a preeminent person): princedom

• (quality of being principal): primacy, principality

• (state ruled by a prince): princedom, principality

Coordinate terms

• (period of the Roman Empire): dominate

Adjective

principate (not comparable)

Primary; principal.

Source: Wiktionary

Prin"ci*pate, n. Etym: [L. principatus: cf. F. principat.]

Definition: Principality; supreme rule. [Obs.] Barrow.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition