Zollverein

[tsawl-fer-ahyn; English tsawl-fuh-rahyn]

noun

(in the 19th century) a union of German states for the maintenance of a uniform tariff on imports from other countries, and of free trading among themselves.

any similar union or arrangement between a number of states; customs union.

Origin of Zollverein

1835–45; < German, equivalent to Zoll custom, duty, tariff + Verein union

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for zollverein

Historical Examples of zollverein

Prussia, with her Zollverein, was preparing embarrassments for us.
Sentimental Education, Volume II
Gustave Flaubert
The Zollverein was the only really German action to which she can point.
The Empress Frederick; a memoir
Anonymous
Protocol was boring our host with his views on the Zollverein.
Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853)
Various
A factor that made for unity among the German states was the Zollverein.
Germany and the Germans
Price Collier
Even in the earlier stages of its development the Zollverein had a marked effect on the condition of the country.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8
Various

British Dictionary definitions for zollverein

Zollverein

noun

the customs union of German states organized in the early 1830s under Prussian auspices

Word Origin for Zollverein

C19: from Zoll tax, toll ² + Verein union

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

Word Origin and History for zollverein

1843, German, literally "customs union," from Zoll "toll" (see toll (n.)) + Verein "union," from vereinen "to unite," from ver- + ein "one" (see one).