shrievalty

[ shree-vuhl-tee ]

noun,plural shriev·al·ties.
  1. the office, term, or jurisdiction of a sheriff.

Origin of shrievalty

1
1495–1505; shrieve1 + -alty, as in mayoralty

Words Nearby shrievalty

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use shrievalty in a sentence

  • In 1855, however, he was unexpectedly called upon to discharge the duties of the shrievalty.

    Norfolk Annals | Charles Mackie
  • He also acquainted T. M. Pearce with his intention of declining the shrievalty in the event of its being conferred on him.

  • Twice Watt was requested to undertake the honor of the shrievalty; in 1803 that of Staffordshire, and in Pg.

    James Watt | Andrew Carnegie
  • In the first row stood Monceux, in all the pomp of his shrievalty, with his councilmen and aldermen.

    Robin Hood | Paul Creswick
  • The shrievalty of the County Palatine has always been esteemed the blue riband of shrievalties.

    Recollections of a Busy Life | William B. Forwood

British Dictionary definitions for shrievalty

shrievalty

/ (ˈʃriːvəltɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. the office or term of office of a sheriff

  2. the jurisdiction of a sheriff

Origin of shrievalty

1
C16: from shrieve, on the model of mayoralty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012