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

During the last twelve years of his life Heemskerk sat in the upper chamber of the states-general.

From Project Gutenberg

In the same hall the meetings of the States-General of the kingdom usually took place, when the three orders assembled together; but, as it was considered probable that they would deliberate separately for some days to come, the hall had been arranged that night, as we have said, for the reception of the Court; and in it soon appeared almost all the splendid nobility of France brought into Blois by the meeting of the States.

From Project Gutenberg

There was at that time a large open space round the church of St. Sauveur, in Blois, where the people from the country used occasionally to exhibit their fruits and flowers for sale; and exactly opposite the great door of the church stood a large and splendid mansion, with an internal court-yard, part of which had been let to some of the deputies for the States-General.

From Project Gutenberg

His leading staff is already the sceptre, for it sways all things; his chair is already the throne, for from it emanates every movement of the States-General of France.

From Project Gutenberg

It happened that Peter was not as yet represented at any of the foreign courts, and he therefore appointed an embassy extraordinary to proceed, in the first instance, to the States-General of Holland, while he would accompany it simply in the character of an attaché.

From Project Gutenberg