1. a territory ruled by a palatine or having special privileges
Usage: historical
2. the office or dignity of a palatine
Usage: historical

Examples

• The Palatinate of the Rhine was an important territory in medieval Germany.
• Durham was historically a palatinate with its own courts and laws.
• The Count Palatine ruled over his palatinate with considerable autonomy.
• Many palatinates were eventually absorbed into larger kingdoms.
• The palatinate had special judicial and administrative privileges.
• Chester served as a palatinate under English rule for centuries.