stadholder

[stad-hohl-der]

noun

1. the chief magistrate of the former republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

2. (formerly, in the Netherlands) the viceroy or governor of a province.

stadholder

/ ˈstædˌhəʊldə /

noun

1. the chief magistrate of the former Dutch republic or of any of its provinces (from about 1580 to 1802)

2. a viceroy or governor of a province

Other Word Forms

• stadholderate noun
• stadholdership noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stadholder¹

1585–95; partial translation of Dutch stadhouder, equivalent to stad place + houder holder; translation of Medieval Latin locum tenēns

Word History and Origins

Origin of stadholder¹

C16: partial translation of Dutch stad houder , from stad city (see _stead ) + houder holder

Example Sentences

At the side of Maurice, as a wise adviser, stood his cousin William Louis, stadholder of Friesland, a trained soldier and good commander in the field.

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In 1637 the stadholder was able to add to his fame as an invincible besieger of cities.

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It was governed by a stadholder, and but small respect was shown for its chartered rights and privileges.

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The capture of Brill and of Flushing in 1572 by the Sea-Beggars led to the submission of the greater part of Holland and Zeeland to the authority of the prince of Orange, who, as stadholder, summoned the states of Holland to meet at Dordrecht.

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This authority of Holland was, however, more than counterbalanced 610 by the extensive powers with which the stadholder princes of Orange were invested; and the chief crises in the internal Contest between the Principles of National and Provincial Sovereignty. history of the Dutch republic are to be found in the struggles for supremacy between two, in reality, different principles of government.

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