principality

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˌprɪnsɪˈpælɪti/ UK /ˌprɪnsɪˈpælɪti/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
a state or territory ruled by a prince

Monaco is a tiny principality nestled on the Mediterranean coast.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a state or territory ruled... realm domain territory state dominion princedom

Word family

Related forms prince principal princely

Etymology

From Old French principalite, from Late Latin principalitas, from Latin principalis ('chief, primary'), from princeps ('first, chief'), from primus ('first') + capere ('to take').

principalis Latin princeps Latin primus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# principality

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌprɪnsɪˈpælɪti/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌprɪnsɪˈpælɪti/

## Meanings
1. a state or territory ruled by a prince

## Examples
- Monaco is a tiny principality nestled on the Mediterranean coast.

## Synonyms
- realm
- domain
- territory
- state
- dominion
- princedom

## Related Forms
- prince
- principal
- princely

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: principalis
- Root: princeps
- Root: primus

## Etymology
From Old French principalite, from Late Latin principalitas, from Latin principalis ('chief, primary'), from princeps ('first, chief'), from primus ('first') + capere ('to take').

## AI Etymology
Principality comes from Old French principalite, from Late Latin principalitas, from Latin principalis ('chief, primary'), from princeps ('first, chief'), from primus ('first') + capere ('to take'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a noun, it denotes "a state or territory ruled by a prince", keeping the historical idea close to its dictionary sense. Relevant historical forms include Latin principalis, Latin princeps, and Latin primus. Related words include prince, principal, princely.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown