principalities
/ˈprɪnsəpəˌlɪtiz/
noun
Origin
Latin
principatus — beginning, origin, sovereignty, or chief position
Overview
Meaning Now
- A state or region ruled by a prince.
- A position of authority, power, or leadership, often used in theological contexts to refer to angelic beings.
Literal older meaning
the quality or state of being a prince; the territory of a prince
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
principalite
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
In the Middle Ages, the term was frequently used in ecclesiastical literature to describe a hierarchy of angels. Politically, it referred to small territories whose rulers held the title of prince, often within the Holy Roman Empire.
Evolution
- Latin
principatus
“chief position or leadership”
- Late Latin
principalitas
“primacy or sovereign rule”
- Old French
principalite
“sovereignty or lordship”
- Middle English
principalite
“authority, rule, or a territory under a prince”
Connections
Word parts
princip-
root
first, chief
-al
suffix
pertaining to
-ity
suffix
state or condition
-ies
ending
plural marker
Related across languages
French
principauté
principality
Italian
principato
principality
Related words
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Related to principalities
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.