count palatine

noun

plural

counts palatine 

1. (formerly, in Germany) a count having jurisdiction in his fief or province.

2. Also called earl palatine. English History.,  an earl or other county proprietor who exercised royal prerogatives within his county.

count palatine

noun

1. 1. originally an official who administered the king's domains or his justice

   2. later, a count who exercised royal authority in his own domains

2. (in England and Ireland) an earl or other lord of a county palatine

3. (in the late Roman Empire) a palace official who exercised judicial authority

Word History and Origins

Origin of count palatine¹

First recorded in 1590–1600