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protectorate

protectorate

9 9.1
A territory that keeps its own government but is partly controlled and protected by a stronger country
  • noun
  • /prəˈtɛktərət/
  • Specialized
translation icon : protegido
  • British protectorates that gained independence in 1971 were Kuwait (a protectorate since 1899), Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.
  • British protectorate
  • French protectorate
  • Protectorate government

The British also fought them for that and the previously, so the Somaliland was previously a a British protectorate.

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Examples

  • In 1895, Rwanda officially became a German protectorate, which lasted until 1916 when the Germans were expelled by the Belgians.

    Academic text (2006)
  • In 1890, ostensibly to end slavery, the British declared a protectorate over the Omani domains.

    Academic text (2006)
  • And the Federation Council decided to make them a protectorate so quickly.

  • This is a French protectorate which has only ever existed because of French good will.

  • I think what they wanted was a British protectorate loyal to and dependent upon the British.

  • Sierra Leone is a protectorate of the British Crown.

  • In 1900, Britain declared Nigeria a protectorate and instituted a system of indirect rule.

    Academic text (1998)
  • With the beginning of the Protectorate in the 1890s, a new legal hierarchy was created on Pemba.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Three years later, Zulu territory was declared a British protectorate, and in 1897 it became part of Natal.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The proposed deal called for the creation of an international protectorate in Kosovo.

Synonyms

dependency
vsprotectorate
  • Specialized
4 5.7

An area controlled by a distant country that is not fully independent

is partly controlled yet retains internal self government under a treaty
associated state
vsprotectorate
  • Formal
8.5

A territory that keeps its own government but is protected and partly controlled by a stronger country

is the same arrangement but often called by another formal term

How Independent

autonomous
51 6.3
independent
360 2.8
protectorate
  • Specialized
9 9.1
colony
96 3.3

Surface Forms

protectorate singular
protectorates plural

Morphology

protectorate = protector (semi-transparent) = protect + or + ate

The word is formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ate' to 'protector'; the overall meaning ('territory under a protector') is reasonably predictable but relies on knowledge of this formal suffix.

Etymology

Protectorate comes from the simpler word protect, which comes from the old Latin word protegere meaning 'to cover in front'. So a protectorate is literally a place given 'protection', a territory that a stronger country guards and partly controls while it keeps its own local government.