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tetrarch

American  
[te-trahrk, tee-] / ˈtɛ trɑrk, ˈti- /

noun

  1. any ruler of a fourth part, division, etc.

  2. a subordinate ruler.

  3. one of four joint rulers or chiefs.

  4. the ruler of the fourth part of a country or province in the ancient Roman Empire.


tetrarch British  
/ -kɪt, tɛˈtrɑːˌkeɪt, ˈtɛtrɑːk /

noun

  1. the ruler of one fourth of a country

  2. a subordinate ruler, esp of Syria under the Roman Empire

  3. the commander of one of the smaller subdivisions of a Macedonian phalanx

  4. any of four joint rulers

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of tetrarch

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, tetrarcha, tetrarke, from Late Latin tetrarcha, variant of Latin tetrarchēs, from Greek tetrárchēs; see tetr-, -arch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While there was no formal geographic division of leadership, each emperor or tetrarch had his own sphere of influence.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The husky-voiced German tenor Gerhard A. Siegel was almost endearing as Herod, the tetrarch of Judea, Herodias’s husband, who is nearly undone by his yearning for his stepdaughter.

From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2014

Con O'Neill as the roaring, bisexual tetrarch is not afraid to out-Herod Herod.

From The Guardian • Jun. 24, 2010

Antony had made him tetrarch, and now with the assent of Octavian persuaded the Senate to declare him king of Judaea.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

Even here He is not safe from the hatred of Antipas, and after a little rest will pass over into the borders of the tetrarch Philip.

From Joel: A Boy of Galilee by Johnston, Annie F. (Annie Fellows)

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