principate

American  

[prin-suh-peyt] / ˈprɪn səˌpeɪt /

noun

1. supreme power or office.

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principate British  

/ ˈprɪnsɪˌpeɪt /

noun

1. a state ruled by a prince

2. a form of rule in the early Roman Empire in which some republican forms survived

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Etymology

Origin of principate

1300–50; Middle English < Latin prīncipātus, equivalent to prīncip- ( see prince) + -ātus -ate ³

Example Sentences

He set up a system of government, the principate, in which the traditions of republican government legitimized his position as de facto emperor.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Thus the flaws of the principate continued to haunt the Roman state long after its founder was gone.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Perhaps the most important thing Augustus did besides establishing the principate itself was to reorganize the Roman legions.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

Nicole Kidman introduced scenes from her forthcoming biopic Grace of Monaco, in which the actor-princess struggles to adapt to her role as European royalty against a backdrop of diplomatic tension between the principate and France.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2013

In the preceding chapters we have traced in outline the political history of the principate to the point where it had become an undisguised military autocracy.

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Boak, Arthur Edward Romilly