principality
n. countablen. a small country or area that is ruled by a prince or princess. It is a type of monarchy where the leader is a member of a royal family.
n. a sovereign state or territory governed by a prince or princess. Often used in historical contexts to describe small European states or regions under the rule of a monarch.
The small principality is famous for its beautiful mountains.
During the nineteenth century, the principality maintained its independence despite being surrounded by larger empires.
The treaty established the principality as a buffer state, granting the local ruler significant autonomy in exchange for a formal alliance with the central government.
From Middle English principalte, principalite, from Anglo-Norman principalté, Middle French principalté, from Late Latin prīncipālitās, from Latin prīncipālis (“principal”) + -tās. Equivalent to principal + -ity.