Protectorate

Quick meaning: Protectorate is a noun meaning (UK, historical) The office or position of the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

Meaning

(UK, historical) The office or position of the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

More Meanings

1. An autonomous state under protectorate.
2. The office or position of protector (sense 5).
3. (UK, historical) Government by a protector; especially, The Protectorate: government of England, Scotland, and Ireland between 1653 and 1659 under the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth Oliver Cromwell, later his son Richard Cromwell.
4. The authority assumed by a state over another state deemed inferior or dependent, whereby the former protects the latter from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs but the protected state retains its nominal sovereignty.

Example Sentences

Egypt became a British protectorate in 1914.

Word Forms

• protectorates

Synonyms for protectorate

Depending on context, synonyms include regency.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include guardianship, trusteeship, protection, sanctuary, dominion, possession.

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