States-General

[ steyts-jen-er-uhl ]

noun

1. the parliament of the Netherlands, consisting of an upper chamber First Chamber and a lower chamber Second Chamber.
2. French History. the legislative body in France before the French Revolution.

States General

plural noun

1. the bicameral legislature of the Netherlands
2. history
   1. an assembly of the estates of an entire country in contrast to those of a single province
   2. Also calledEstates General the assembly of the estates of all France, last meeting in 1789
   3. the sovereign body of the Dutch republic from the 16th to 18th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of States-General¹

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

The states general of France formed themselves into the national assembly.

From Project Gutenberg

A memorial reciting these letters was delivered to the States-General in November, 1780, but no answer was returned.

From Project Gutenberg

The king, our master, is in the midst of his loyal subjects, and the States-general must be suffered to deliberate at liberty.

From Project Gutenberg

The states-general voted to join the armed neutrality and, while disavowing the treaty, did not proceed against the pensionary.

From Project Gutenberg

The States-General of the Netherlands had no constitutional doubt about imposing duties on their outlying colonies.

From Project Gutenberg