principate

Meanings

Noun

• The early period of the Roman Empire, during which some characteristics of the government of the Roman Republic were retained; the reign of any particular emperor during said period.
• The office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence.
• A state ruled by a prince; a principality.

Adjective

• Primary; principal.

Related

Similar words

• princedom
• primacy, principality
• princedom, principality

Origin

• From Latin princeps ("first"), referring to the titles princeps senatus and princeps civitatis, adopted by Octavian Caesar Augustus in order to preserve the illusion of formal continuance of some aspects of the Roman Republic.
• Compare prince.