landgrave

[ land-greyv ]

noun

1. (in medieval Germany) a count having jurisdiction over a large territory.
2. (usually initial capital letter) the title of certain German princes.

landgrave

/ ˈlændˌɡreɪv /

noun

1. (from the 13th century to 1806) a count who ruled over a specified territory
2. (after 1806) the title of any of various sovereign princes in central Germany

Word History and Origins

Origin of landgrave¹

From Middle Low German, dating back to 1510–20; land, margrave

Word History and Origins

Origin of landgrave¹

C16: via German, from Middle High German lantgrāve, from lant land + grāve count

Example Sentences

Papin became increasingly discontented in Hesse, where the landgrave failed to give his researches the support he felt they warranted, and so he determined to return to England.

From Literature

With a stipend from the landgrave, Schütz spent three years there absorbing Italian musical styles and traditions, and would later return to work with Monteverdi.

From New York Times

Or Hermann the crowned landgrave of Thuringia in Wagner’s “Tannhauser” — technically a count rather than a king, but no more modest in the imperial headgear?

From New York Times

When his brother the landgrave Louis IV. died in Italy in September 1227, Henry seized the government of Thuringia and expelled his brother’s widow, St Elizabeth of Hungary, and her son Hermann.

From Project Gutenberg

It was richly endowed by Charlemagne and became an ecclesiastical principality in the 12th century, passing under the protection of the landgraves of Hesse in 1423.

From Project Gutenberg