kingcraft

American  

[king-kraft, -krahft] / ˈkɪŋˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft /

noun

1. the art of ruling as king; royal statesmanship.

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kingcraft British  

/ ˈkɪŋˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. archaic  the art of ruling as a king, esp by diplomacy and cunning

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Etymology

Origin of kingcraft

First recorded in 1635–45; king + craft

Example Sentences

"The end and purpose of all kingcraft," said Beowulf.

From Literature

And as we see in the deposed monarch how the dignity of kingcraft clings to him, how through all he does and says there runs a vein of royal graciousness as from one the fount of honor, so it is with beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

The Neapolitan lawyer firmly believed that they had been so used; and he became inspired with the idea that to take these instruments, first to London and then to the United States, and exhibit them, and lecture on them, would arouse such a tempest of righteous indignation among all peoples, free or enslaved, as must sweep kingcraft and priestcraft off the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Kingcraft and priestcraft have always been in close alliance.

From Project Gutenberg

The religious instinct has been perverted, turned into wrong channels, made subservient to priestcraft and kingcraft, but its basic principle remains for ever firm.

From Project Gutenberg