stadholder

American  

[stad-hohl-der] / ˈstædˌhoʊl dər /

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.

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stadholder British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• stadholderate noun
• stadholdership noun

Etymology

Origin of stadholder

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

Example Sentences

The year 1639, which had begun with abortive negotiations, and in which the activity of the stadholder had been much hampered by ill-health, was not to end, however, without a signal triumph of the Dutch arms, but it was to be on sea and not on land.

From Project Gutenberg

All the provinces, except Friesland and Groningen, which remained true to William Frederick of Nassau-Dietz, agreed to leave the office of stadholder vacant.

From Project Gutenberg

The stadholder’s authority and popularity continued unimpaired, despite of his frequent absences in England.

From Project Gutenberg

Maurice of Nassau, William’s second son, had indeed on his father’s death been appointed captain and admiral-general of the Union, president of the Council of State, and stadholder of Holland and Zeeland, but he was as yet too young, only seventeen, to take a leading part in affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg